18th June 2024

Clinical Characteristics

Given that any organ system is potentially affected by TB, clinical presentation can be varied. The broader symptoms associated with TB include weight loss and drenching night sweats. In the case of pulmonary TB (which accounts for >70% of TB cases, productive cough with haemoptysis is typical. Crucially, TB generally takes a less acute or fulminant path than most serious bacterial infections, with symptoms frequently present for weeks to months before diagnosis. Other symptoms or signs specific to other organ sites may alternatively be present; i.e. abdominal distension, intestinal obstruction with ascites or a palpable mass (peritoneal or gastrointestinal TB); reduced air entry to auscultation (pleural TB); drowsiness, focal neurology, headache and signs of raised intracranial pressure (TB meningitis); back pain with long tract signs (spinal TB, or “Pott’s” disease) or painful, red eyes (granulomatous uveitis) – to name but a few. Erythema nodosum is another important manifestation of TB.