{"id":9127,"date":"2019-08-16T16:11:12","date_gmt":"2019-08-16T16:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=9127"},"modified":"2021-06-21T15:12:20","modified_gmt":"2021-06-21T15:12:20","slug":"14-common-symptoms-of-tuberculosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-common-symptoms-of-tuberculosis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common Symptoms of Tuberculosis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tuberculosis is also commonly called TB. It is much more common in some regions, with countries like the United States of America taking strong measures to help control and fight it. As a result, TB is less common in those areas than in less developed parts of the world, but can still remain a risk factor for nearly everyone, especially with the advent of commercial air travel that helps diseases spread more rapidly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

TB has the potential to be a serious, life-threatening infection. As such, it is important to get diagnosed as early as possible and obtain treatment. It is a difficult infection to cure, so it\u2019s common that a strong cocktail of multiple different drugs may be necessary for months on end to finally cure it. No specific outcome is guaranteed, and TB can even return again to a patient who thought it had been cured ages ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 common symptoms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Fever<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tuberculosis <\/a>is an infection, so it\u2019s normal to expect your body to identify that there is an intruder and take steps to try to get rid of it. Fever is one of the most powerful responses your body has to infection, as many microbes can\u2019t handle the change in temperature and turning up the heat a bit is a good way to both slow their reproduction and help stun them, buying your immune system valuable time to figure out ways to defeat them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fever is one of the first signs that something is wrong, and tuberculosis is no different. The change in temperature can vary widely depending on how severe your infection is, how long it has been since you came down with it, and your own personal biochemistry. Any increase in average temperature is a sign that you might have an infection and future diagnosis would be warranted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Severe Coughing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most famous symptoms of TB that you have likely seen on movies or television shows is coughing <\/a>that can become quite severe. Some patients experience coughing all of the time, to the point that it becomes difficult or next to impossible to sleep. Since the cough reaction is so strong, it is unlikely that regular over the counter cough treatments will have much of an impact at all on the severity or duration of the cough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another sign of TB is coughing up blood, which may or may not happen in all people. TB attacks the lungs, so bleeding is pretty normal in this situation, and when the coughing happens it brings that blood up from the lungs and out into the mouth. This can be a very uncomfortable situation for patients who are suffering from the effects of TB, but it provides useful knowledge for diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Weight Loss<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a symptom of tuberculosis if the weight loss<\/a> was not intentional. Obviously, if a patient has been trying to lose weight and has taken on diet and exercise, then this doesn\u2019t count as a symptom. When the loss occurs after the illness, especially if it is rapid, then that can be a strong sign of TB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back in the days of early modern medicine (and before), this disease was called \u201cconsumption\u201d by many people. This was because of the extreme weight loss seen in a lot of patients, making them believe that the disease was consuming them from the inside out. This was even attributed to demonic possession in ancient times, with the belief that a demon was inside of them eating the patient apart from the inside out. The extreme coughing made some believe that was the person trying to evict the demon from their body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Night Sweats<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In TB patients, there are a lot of factors that can make it very difficult for them to get a good night of rest. With all of the coughing and the fever symptoms, it can already be hard to sleep. Another issue that makes this even worse for sufferers is the presence of night sweats<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the name implies, this can cause intense sweating during the middle of the night, so severe that the patient might wake up. In that case, it is not uncommon to see their clothing, sheets, blanket, and even mattress completely drenched in sweat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This problem is not only an indicative symptom; it also puts the patient at increased risk of further illness. The fluids lost during intense night sweats can contribute to dehydration, making it difficult for the patient to continue to fight off the infection and feel better. Rehydration is key in these cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Chills<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After reading the last symptom, you might think that TB sufferers are likely to feel hot all the time. Surprisingly, the most common feeling reported is on the other side of the temperature spectrum \u2013 they are likely to feel cold and experience chills<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These chills can be manifested as shivering, a chill down the spine, goosebumps, the desire to cover up with blankets, or just a cold feeling in general. While chills are not an uncommon symptom of a fever (and fever usually occurs with TB), these chills can be a distinct symptom since they are experienced profoundly by so many sufferers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who experience chills may feel the need to cover up even when their body temperature is too high or they have been experiencing night sweats. It\u2019s important to avoid putting the body at risk by raising the temperature too high, even if you continue to feel cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Loss of Appetite<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When sick with anything, it is important to keep your energy levels up so that your body has all the fuel it needs to fight off the infection and allow you to recover and feel better as soon as possible. TB makes this difficult by restricting your appetite<\/a>, either making food sound repulsive in general or making it difficult for you to feel like you could stomach food if you tried.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you recognize the importance of eating and try to force yourself to get some food down anyway, it could be a stomach-churning experience as you attempt to chew each bit and force yourself to swallow it, even though you know it\u2019s good for you and is important in recovering from the disease. For this reason, many patients are given additional calories through IV or fed more palatable foods (like liquid shakes) that make it easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Fatigue <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most people with TB end up bedridden, with little or no desire to get out of bed at any point. Bedpans may have to be used to substitute bathroom visits if the patient is too tired to even get out of bed for a few moments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one way that the body helps conserve energy, leaving more resources available to help fight the infection. Another important factor is the extreme loss of appetite that TB can create. After the body has burned through short term fuel stores like glycogen and sugars available in the bloodstream, it only has fat and muscle tissue left to burn if the patient isn\u2019t eating enough calories<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This fatigue is a pretty natural response and is nature\u2019s way of knowing we don\u2019t have extra calories to burn right now and shouldn\u2019t be expending energy. Even patients who eat plenty can continue feeling tired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Chest Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

TB can commonly affect the lungs<\/a>, which results in additional symptoms besides just coughing (with or without blood). The infection in the lungs can interfere with normal breathing practices. Patients may feel pain (either sharp or dull) when breathing, which can make life difficult and interfere with healthy sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to coughing, patients may feel pain when they cough, which signals that the lungs are irritated and are not performing at their full potential. You may notice you feel short of breath or like you aren\u2019t getting enough oxygen during the course of your disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be due to underperformance of the lungs or by fluid that has filled up the lungs, making it impossible for regular air to reach the small areas of the lung that absorb oxygen. This situation poses a real risk factor and can even be lethal if the fluid remains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Wheezing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who develop tuberculosis notice the onset of coughing symptoms as the disease starts to take hold in the body. These coughing symptoms intensify over a period of weeks to months, depending on the health of the infected individual\u2019s immune system. As the coughing symptoms progress, the patient notices a steady decline in the health of their cardiovascular system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The patient may start to develop wheezing symptoms, especially when exercising or while under physical strain<\/a>. The wheezing symptoms begin slowly and accelerate as the disease continues to strengthen in the body. The patient may notice that the wheezing makes them more prone to developing a coughing fit as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice the signs of wheezing and a cough developing, it could be a sign of numerous bacterial or viral infections. It\u2019s vital that you receive medical attention as soon as possible for a diagnosis of your condition. If diagnosed with TB, your doctor will recommend a treatment strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Shortness of Breath<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People with TB experience a slow degradation of the respiratory system over the course of weeks or months. The changes in the tissues in the lungs results in the patient developing wheezing symptoms and a cough. These symptoms intensify as the disease takes hold of the respiratory system. The patient may start to notice that they develop shortness of breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This symptom starts to occur after the disease begins to reach a tipping point when coughing symptoms intensify. TB affects the gaseous exchange of oxygen <\/a>and CO2 in the lungs. As a result, the patient may start to develop shortness of breath. These symptoms show up after physical exertion, such as climbing stairs or walking at a fast pace.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a variety of disorders and diseases that can cause the onset of shortness of breath. However, if your symptoms occur alongside coughing and other respiratory issues, such as wheezing, then visit your doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor will take a tissue sample to check for the presence of TB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Cognitive Impairment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, tuberculosis interferes with the lung’s normal function. As a result, the patient may start to experience the onset of low oxygen levels in the bloodstream<\/a>. TB interferes with the regular exchange of CO2 and oxygen in the lungs. As a result, the blood does not receive enough fresh oxygen to maintain normal physiological and neurological function.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The patient may notice that they experience physical weakness, as well as neurological problems that result in a decline of cognitive functions. The patient may start to experience the onset of \u201cbrain fog,\u201d a condition that leads to reduced thought capacity and confusion in the affected individual. The patient may struggle with memory recall and forget what they have planned for their daily agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many TB patients require treatment with exogenous oxygen in the advanced stages of the disease. This oxygen treatment helps to increase the amount of O2 in the bloodstream, reducing the cognitive effects of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Malaise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Malaise <\/a>describes a medical condition that produces symptoms of uncertainty, anxiety, and frustration in the affected individual. Patients who do not know what is wrong with their health, but realize they have something wrong with them, may start to experience malaise symptoms. Patients describe the condition as a feeling of dread. This feeling occurs due to the uncertainty involved with their current state of physical health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the person does not have access to medical resources, due to financial problems or being in an isolated area, they may start to experience the onset of malaise. Our body and mind are sensitive to our current state of health. When there is an adverse change in any of our physical systems, the body starts to send signals to the brain that make us seek out help with our condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we refuse to listen to these signals, it results in malaise. The condition lifts after the patient receives a diagnosis for their situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Weakened Immune System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Over 90-percent of all tuberculosis cases occur in individuals that have some form of a compromised immune system<\/a>. The immune system is responsible for identifying invading pathogens. It signals for the formation and distribution of antibodies and white blood cells to take on the bacteria, virus, or fungi responsible for causing the sickness experienced in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, when the immune system is weak, it does not have the strength or efficiency to produce an effective immune response. As a result, the patient may die from the symptoms and effects of the invading pathogen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TB typically occurs in individuals that have compromised immune systems. Many people with HIV contract TB, as the AIDs virus, dramatically reduces the body\u2019s immune response. Other conditions that play a role in lowering the immune system response include diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, age, malnutrition, or drug use. If you experience the onset of any illness, it\u2019s vital that you do everything possible to increase your immune response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. No Symptoms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, TB can live in the body and not cause the onset of any symptoms in the patient. Known as \u201clatent TB infection,\u201d this disease does not produce any coughing symptoms, and the patient does not develop any of the typical fever or respiratory effects of the disease. Most people with a robust immune system are resistant to TB, and the bacteria never gets the chance to become active in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The patient may not receive any symptoms throughout their entire life. However, if the patient does get a blood test for TB, then they will show positive for the presence of the bacteria<\/a>. It\u2019s vital to note that people with latent TB infection cannot spread it to others, in the same way as some other bacterial or viral pathogens.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if the individual carrying a latent TB infection experiences a reduction in the health of their immune system, it may result in the manifestation of TB symptoms in the affected individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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