Tuberculosis (TB): Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Tuberculosis (TB) - A curable bacterial infection, usually of the lungs, spread through the air. Needs full treatment.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It most often affects the lungs but can affect lymph nodes, bones, the brain and other organs. It spreads when a person with active lung TB coughs or sneezes. Many infected people have latent TB, carrying the germ without illness; it can become active later, especially if immunity falls. TB is preventable and curable, but treatment must be completed.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Close contact with someone with active TB
• HIV infection or weak immunity
• Diabetes, malnutrition, smoking
• Crowded or poorly ventilated living conditions

Signs and Symptoms

• Cough lasting more than 2-3 weeks
• Coughing blood
• Fever and night sweats
• Weight loss and poor appetite
• Tiredness and chest pain

Red Flags: When to See a Doctor Urgently

Diagnosis: Tests, Lab and Imaging

Tests include sputum testing (rapid molecular tests such as GeneXpert, smear microscopy, culture), chest X-ray, and skin or blood tests (IGRA) for latent infection.

Treatment and Medicines

Drug-sensitive TB is treated with a combination of antibiotics for several months, commonly a 6-month regimen. Taking every dose is essential; stopping early can create drug-resistant TB. Treatment is free under national TB programmes in many countries, including Pakistan.

Emergency

If you notice any red-flag sign, call 1122 (Pakistan), 911 (USA), 999 (UK) or 112 (Europe), or go to the nearest emergency department. See our emergency first aid guide.

Complications

Lung damage, spread to other organs, drug resistance and death if untreated.

Prevention

• Early diagnosis and full treatment of active cases
• BCG vaccination for infants in high-burden countries
• Good ventilation
• Preventive therapy for high-risk contacts

Outlook and Follow-up

With full treatment, most people with drug-sensitive TB are cured.

Patient Education

Write down your questions before appointments, bring a list of all medicines, and ask what results mean for you. Use our symptom checker to learn which departments relate to your symptoms. This Tuberculosis guide is educational and reviewed against WHO, CDC and NIH sources by the ghkh.site editorial team.

Frequently Asked Questions