TBC Simptoms
TB symptoms usually appear gradually and may include:
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Various types of aches and pains
- Swollen joints or ankles
- Lasting tummy or pelvic pain / dark or cloudy urine
- Headaches / being sick / feeling confused / stiff neck
- Skin rashes on the legs, face or other parts of the body
Make an appointment with your family doctor if you or a loved one
- Have a cough for more than 3 weeks
- Feel tired or exhausted and are not sure why
- Have fever or night sweats and are not sure why
- Are losing weight without having changed your diet or exercise routine.
- Have pent a lot of time living with somebody who suggestive TB symptoms.
Make an urgent appointment with your family doctor or go to a TB dispensary if you or a loved one :
- Cough up blood or blood-stained sputum.
Go to the Emergency Department if you (or someone close to you)
- have a stiff neck and a severe headache
- are bothered by bright light (photophobia)
- have had a seizure
- have a sudden change in behaviour such as sudden confusion
- feel muscle weakness or are unable to move parts of your body.
Tests for detecting TB
If you have symptoms of tuberculosis (TBC), tests you may have include:
Chest X‑ray, ultrasound or other imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) of the chest or of the part of the body that might be affected.
Sputum samples (the thick mucus coughed up from the lungs).
A biopsy to collect a sample of tissue, or a fluid sample from the affected area.
If you do not have symptoms but are at risk of TB (for example, you have had prolonged contact with someone who has TB), you may be offered a Mantoux test (tuberculin skin test) or blood tests to check for TB infection. The Mantoux test is a skin test in which a small amount of liquid is injected into the upper layers of the skin on the forearm. If you have TB infection, this can cause a small reaction at the injection site