Tuberculosis mainly affects lungs, intestines, bones, glands and brain with its meanings. Pulmonary tuberculosis or tuberculosis of the lungs is by far the most common type of tuberculosis. In the adults, the disease is characterized by cough with sputum, haemoptysis (spitting up of blood from the respiratory system), weight loss and night sweats. Abnormal physical signs are present in the lungs and X-rays may show infiltration, cavitation, calcification and fibrosis. None of these signs and symptoms applies to primary tuberculosis in children.
Most children who are infected with tuberculosis anywhere in the body apparently look well, with no symptoms or signs. A few have a mild fever for a few weeks, may become cheerless and loose a little weight or fail to gain weight. In most cases, the primary focus heals with no further trouble. In some cases, however, clinical disturbances do occur at different stages of the disease process. Here are some common symptoms of tuberculosis.
- A bad cough that lasts longer than 2 weeks.
- Weakness or fatigue.
- Pain in the chest.
- Fever.
- Sweating at night.
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