TB disease

What is TB disease?

TB bacteria cause TB disease if a person's immune system can't stop the bacteria from growing. A person with TB disease feels sick and may spread TB to others if he/she has infectious TB disease.

What are the symptoms of TB disease?

Tuberculosis is a serious disease that attacks the lungs and sometimes spreads to other parts of the body (TB disease outside the lungs). Symptoms depend on where the TB bacteria are growing. TB in the lungs may cause the following:

• a bad cough that lasts longer than 2 weeks
• pain in the chest
• coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm)
• weakness or feeling very tired
• weight loss
• no appetite
• chills
• fever
• night sweats.

How do I know if I have TB disease?

If you feel sick, see your doctor. Your doctor will examine you and order tests like a chest x-ray. If you are coughing, your sputum (phlegm) may contain TB bacteria. If you have TB disease, you need treatment of TB disease to kill the TB bacteria in your body. Without treatment, a person with TB disease can die.

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[Tuberculosis FACT SHEET - Index]