What are the symptoms of Tuberculosis?
Active TB actively causes visible symptoms, making it much easier to spot. Symptoms of active TB include weeks of ongoing coughing which may include blood, chest pains, profuse sweating at night, fatigue, weight loss, fever, chills, and a loss of appetite. Active TB is contagious and is spread when bacteria are sent through the air through a cough or sneeze, or even by laughing or singing.4 Latent TB has no symptoms, nor is it contagious, but the bacteria are still in your body and can become active at any moment. Imagine Latent TB as a dormant volcano. When it is lying in wait, it is completely harmless, but as soon as the first rumblings and spits of smoke begin, it can quickly become a dangerous situation.4 Testing for Tuberculosis may depend on your symptoms. These are some of the most common tests depending on what kind of Tuberculosis your doctor may think you have.5 Active Tuberculosis in the lungs: Chest X-ray: Pictures of the chest are used to check for deterioration caused by TB. Phlegm test: A sample of spit will be tested for any TB bacteria. Active Tuberculosis outside of the lungs CT scan, MRI scan, or ultrasound: Using radio waves, doctors will take pictures of the inside of your body to see if any of your organs look like they are infected. Endoscopy: A long, thin tube with a camera at the end will be inserted through your mouth or natural opening, depending on where the TB may be, to see if there are signs of TB. Lumbar Puncture: A small amount of spinal fluid will be taken and sampled to search for any signs of the bacteria in your system. Latent Tuberculosis: The Mantoux Test: A small amount of liquid, called PPD tuberculin, will be injected just underneath the skin. If you have latent TB, you will have a skin reaction, like a small, hard, red bump. IGRA: Also known by its long name, Interferon Gamma Release Assay, IGRA is a blood test that can help supplement the Mantoux test or can be given on its own.
