Overview
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that usually attacks the lungs and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs. It is less common in high-income countries but still occurs, particularly in people who have lived in or travelled from higher-burden regions. Diagnosis and the full course of treatment are effective, and any cough lasting two weeks or more should be tested.
Symptoms
- Cough lasting two weeks or more
- Coughing up blood
- Night sweats
- Fever, especially in the evenings
- Unintentional weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Chest pain
Causes & risk factors
- Inhaling bacteria from an infectious person's cough
- Living in crowded or poorly ventilated housing
- Weakened immunity, especially HIV
- Malnutrition, diabetes or heavy smoking
Treatment & self-care
TB is cured with a standardised course of antibiotics taken daily for at least six months — stopping early breeds drug resistance, which is far harder to treat. Public health services support diagnosis, treatment and screening of household contacts. Good nutrition, ventilation and completing the full course are central to a cure.
See a doctor urgently if
- Cough lasting more than two weeks
- Coughing up blood
- Night sweats with weight loss
- Close contact with someone diagnosed with TB
- TB symptoms in someone living with HIV