TB Awareness and Symptoms!

Posted in Medshield Wellness   |   March 11th, 2020

It’s important to know that some people may have no symptoms or only mild ones. They may therefore spread bacteria without knowing they have TB.

Tuberculosis symptoms may include the following:

• A cough that starts out dry but later produces blood or sputum (thick liquid from deep inside the lungs)
• -Coughing for longer than a month
• Chest pain
• Breathing difficulty e.g. shortness of breath
• Weakness or fatigue
• Loss of weight and appetite
• Chills and fevers (the fever may be low and may be intermittent)
• Joint pain
• Wheezing
• Rales (additional sounds made to those of normal breathing)
• Excessive sweating, including sweating at night
• Hearing loss
• Diarrhoea
• A persistent lump or lesion
• Clubbing of fingers or toes – the nails become swollen and feel slightly “pulpy”.

When to see a doctor

Call a health professional if:

• You have been exposed to TB, or if symptoms develop
• Symptoms persist despite treatment
• New symptoms develop

References:

World Health Organization. Global tuberculosis report 2017. 2017.

• Google Scholar

Middelkoop K, Bekker L-G, Mathema B, Shashkina E, Kurepina N, Whitelaw A, et al. Molecular epidemiology of mycobacterium tuberculosis in a south African community with high HIV prevalence. J Infect Dis. 2009;200(8):1207–11.

• Article
• Google Scholar

DISCLAIMER : The information on this blog post is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.