In a country where coughs are common and often ignored, tuberculosis hides in plain sight. What may seem like a routine infection can quietly progress into a serious illness if left unchecked. This World TB Day, experts highlight why recognising the warning signs early is more important than ever.
When is a cough no longer ‘just viral’?
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that most often affects the lungs, and it spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits. While a common cold or viral infection usually settles within a week to ten days, a cough that lingers beyond this should not be ignored and may need closer attention.
“If you have a cough that lasts longer than two weeks, especially if it is productive (bringing up mucus or phlegm) or has blood-streaked sputum, you should see a doctor about tuberculosis,” says Dr Sabine Kapasi, UN advisor and Global Health Strategist.
You should get tested if:
A cough lasts more than two weeks
You have fever, weight loss, or persistent fatigue
You have been in close contact with a TB patient
You have underlying conditions like diabetes or HIV
Symptoms people often overlook
Dr Archana Pate, Senior Consultant - Internal Medicine at Fortis Hospital, Kalyan, explains that TB often starts quietly and mimics routine illnesses, which delays diagnosis.
Early signs include:
Mild fatigue and weakness
Low-grade fever, often in the evening
Loss of appetite
A persistent but mild cough
Advanced symptoms may involve:
Significant weight loss
Persistent high fever
Night sweats
Chronic cough with sputum or blood
Chest pain and breathlessness
"TB can also lead to swollen lymph nodes, back pain, abdominal complaints, or neurological symptoms like headache and vomiting," shares Dr Pate.
"For TB affecting organs other than the lungs, symptoms may include swelling in the neck or armpit (lymph nodes), or organ-specific signs such as neck stiffness (meningitis), chronic diarrhea (abdominal TB), or difficulty in conceiving (genital TB)," adds Dr Vipin Viswanath, Director Laboratory Medicine, Aster MMIS, Calicut.
Early signs include:
Mild fatigue and weakness
Low-grade fever, often in the evening
Loss of appetite
A persistent but mild cough
Advanced symptoms may involve:
Significant weight loss
Persistent high fever
Night sweats
Chronic cough with sputum or blood
Chest pain and breathlessness
"TB can also lead to swollen lymph nodes, back pain, abdominal complaints, or neurological symptoms like headache and vomiting," shares Dr Pate.
"For TB affecting organs other than the lungs, symptoms may include swelling in the neck or armpit (lymph nodes), or organ-specific signs such as neck stiffness (meningitis), chronic diarrhea (abdominal TB), or difficulty in conceiving (genital TB)," adds Dr Vipin Viswanath, Director Laboratory Medicine, Aster MMIS, Calicut.