Clinical manifestations : TB

Clinical manifestations

• LTBI – asymptomatic
  • Cannot spread TB bacteria to others
  • Usually has a skin test or blood test result indicating TB infection
  • Has a normal chest x-ray and a negative sputum smear
  • Needs treatment for latent TB infection to prevent active TB disease
• Pulmonary TB
  • Takes 2-3 weeks to develop symptoms
  • Initial dry cough that becomes productive
  • Constitutional symptoms (fatigue, malaise, anorexia, weight loss, low-grade fever, night sweats)
  • Dyspnea and hemoptysis late symptoms
• Cough becomes frequent
  • Hemoptysis is not common and is usually associated with advanced disease
  • Dyspnea is unusual
• Can also present more acutely
  • High fever
  • Chills, generalized flulike symptoms
  • Pleuritic pain
  • Productive cough
  • Crackles and/or adventitious breath sounds
• Extrapulmonary TB manifestations dependent on organs infected
• Immunosuppressed people and older adults are less likely to have fever and other signs of an infection
  • Carefully investigate respiratory problems in HIV patients
    • Rule out opportunistic diseases
  • A change in cognitive function may be the only initial sign of TB in an older person