TB disease outside the lungs

TB disease usually affects the lungs. Sometimes TB bacteria can spread through the blood to other parts of the body. TB disease outside the lungs is most often found in the lymph nodes. It can also be found in the following:

• kidneys
• bones and joints
• gut (e.g., stomach)
• brain and spinal cord
• all over (called disseminated or miliary)

Most people with TB disease outside the lungs feel sick or weak, lose weight, and have fever and night sweats. In addition, they may have symptoms from the affected area. Diagnosis may be delayed as TB outside the lungs is rare in Canada.

If you have HIV you are more likely to have TB disease outside the lungs.

Treatment of TB disease in other parts of the body is the same as treatment of TB disease in the lungs. People with TB disease outside the lungs are usually not infectious to others. Their TB bacteria don't usually get into the air to be breathed by someone else.

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[Tuberculosis FACT SHEET - Index]