Due to the fact that you can harbor the bacteria for years without showing any symptoms, you can only know you have TB when you have an active TB.
Your body can harbor the bacteria that cause tuberculosis and your immune system will prevent you from becoming sick. For this reason, doctors make a distinction between:
- Latent TB
You have a TB infection, but the bacteria in your body are inactive and cause no symptoms. Latent TB, also called inactive TB or TB infection, isn’t contagious. Latent TB can turn into active TB, so treatment is important. - Active TB
Also called TB disease, this condition makes you sick and, in most cases, can spread to others. It can occur weeks or years after infection with the TB bacteria.
Signs and symptoms of active TB include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Chills
- Loss of appetiteCoughing for three or more weeks
- Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing
- Unintentional weight loss
- Coughing up blood or mucus
Please remember that Tuberculosis can also affect other parts of your body, including the 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 might cause back pain, and tuberculosis in your kidneys might cause blood in your urine.
OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS
The 3 Stages of Tuberculosis you should be Aware of
Tuberculosis Prevention and Treatment