Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that most often affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. The tell‑tale signs of active TB develop gradually, with a cough lasting more than three weeks often becoming productive or blood‑tinged, accompanied by chest pain and fatigue that doesn't improve with rest. Night sweats, low‑grade fevers, and unintentional weight loss may also occur as the infection advances over weeks to months, distinguishing TB from short‑lived illnesses such as the flu.
Early recognition of these persistent TB symptoms is important because active pulmonary TB can spread through airborne droplets to others, especially in close quarters. Latent TB infection may show no symptoms at all, yet still carry a lifetime risk of progressing to active disease without treatment. Identifying prolonged patterns of persistent cough, systemic signs, and weight change helps prompt timely testing and care, which dramatically improves outcomes and reduces spread
