Which symptoms can occur in pulmonary tuberculosis?

The onset of pulmonary tuberculosis is typically insidious, meaning symptoms often develop gradually and may be mild or nonspecific in the early stages. As the disease progresses, patients may experience a variety of symptoms, including:12

• Persistent cough: A cough that lasts for several weeks, which may eventually increase in severity.12
• Sputum and hemoptysis: The production of sputum, which may contain blood (hemoptysis).12
• Chest pain: Often associated with pleurisy.12
• Systemic symptoms: General fatigue or a lack of energy, unintended weight loss, and loss of appetite.12
• Fever and night sweats: The development of fever, frequently accompanied by drenching night sweats.12
• Respiratory distress: Shortness of breath may occur as lung tissue is damaged.2

If left untreated, the disease can lead to extensive lung destruction, failure of ventilation, and severe exhaustion. Because these symptoms can be indicative of other conditions, a medical diagnosis is essential to confirm the presence of the disease.13