what are tuberculosis symptoms
Answers
Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious disease that mainly affects your lungs. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread from one person to another through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes. Once rare in developed countries, tuberculosis infections began increasing in 1985, partly because of the emergence of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. HIV weakens a person's immune system so it can't fight the TB germs. In the United States, because of stronger control programs, tuberculosis began to decrease again in 1993, but remains a concern. Many strains of tuberculosis resist the drugs most used to treat the disease. People with active tuberculosis must take several types of medications for many months to eradicate the infection and prevent development of antibiotic resistance.
SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES
- Coughing that lasts more than 3 weeks
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain with breathing or coughing
- Unintentional and unexpected weight loss
- Fatigue or often feeling tired
- Night sweats
- Chills or feeling cold
- Loss of appetite
Tuberculosis can also affect other parts of your body, including your kidneys, spine or brain. When TB occurs outside your lungs, signs and symptoms vary according to the organs involved. For example, tuberculosis of the spine may give you back pain, and tuberculosis in your kidneys might cause blood in your urine.
Explanation:
Signs and symptoms of active TB include:
Coughing that lasts three or more weeks.
Coughing up blood.
Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing.
Unintentional weight loss.
Fatigue.
Fever.
Night sweats.
Chills.