Infectious Severe Severity

Tuberculosis (TB)

All Both Reviewed by Quick Care Medical Team
Overview Symptoms Causes Prevention Treatment

Overview

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, most commonly affecting the lungs.

How it affects the body:

  • Causes chronic inflammation and tissue damage, mainly in lungs.
  • Can spread through blood to lymph nodes, spine, brain, or other organs.
  • Untreated active TB can become severe and contagious.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of active pulmonary TB:

Symptoms usually persist and slowly worsen without treatment.

  • Persistent cough for more than 2 to 3 weeks
  • Fever and night sweats
  • Weight loss and fatigue
  • Chest pain
  • Coughing blood in some cases

Causes

Cause and spread:

Transmission is more likely with prolonged close exposure in enclosed spaces.

  • Caused by airborne bacteria released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
  • Higher risk in close-contact settings with poor ventilation.
  • Risk increases in malnutrition, HIV, diabetes, and weakened immunity.

Prevention

Prevention steps:

Community awareness and treatment adherence are central to TB control programs.

  • Early diagnosis and full treatment completion for active TB.
  • Good ventilation and cough hygiene in indoor spaces.
  • Screening of close contacts when advised.
  • BCG vaccination according to local health policy.
  • Use masks in high-risk healthcare settings.

Treatment

Standard treatment uses multiple anti-TB medicines for several months under medical supervision.

Stopping treatment early can cause relapse and drug-resistant TB.

Trusted sources: WHO Tuberculosis Fact Sheet, CDC TB, national TB program guidance.

Quick Facts
Category Infectious
Severity Severe
Age Group All
Gender Both
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