Frequent Symptoms

The vast majority of TB cases occur and remain in the lungs.

This is called pulmonary TB.

When this happens, it is known as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

pulmonary tuberculosis symptoms

Verywell

Brain:Tuberculosis that infects the brain, called tuberculous meningitis, is life-threatening.

Symptoms include fever, constant headache, neck stiffness, nausea, and drowsiness that can lead to coma.

This can weaken the heart, causing swollen neck veins and difficulty breathing.

Doctor Discussion Guide Man

Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.

Genitals:Tuberculosis can also spread to the genitals.

In men, genital tuberculosis causes the scrotum to enlarge.

TB is a serious illness and can be fatal if not treated.

Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

TB has three stages: exposure, latent, and active.

Natali D, Cloatre G, Brosset C, et al.What pulmonologists need to know about extrapulmonary tuberculosis.Breathe.

2020;16(4).

2013;88(1):54-64. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.2013.12-0413

Chin JH.Tuberculous meningitis: diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.Neurol Clin Pract.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev.

2017;9:CD000526.

doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000526.pub2

Grace GA, Devaleenal DB, Natrajan M.Genital tuberculosis in females.Indian J Med Res.

2017;145(4):425-436. doi:10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_1550_15

World Health Organization.TB and HIV.

Sester M, Van leth F, Bruchfeld J, et al.Risk assessment of tuberculosis in immunocompromised patients.

A TBNET study.Am J Respir Crit Care Med.

2014;190(10):1168-1176. doi:10.1164/rccm.201405-0967OC

Cedars-Sinai.Tuberculosis (TB).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Testing for tuberculosis (TB).

Consumer version.Tuberculosis (TB).

of Health and Human Services.HIV and opportunistic infections, coinfections, and conditions.