If you have tuberculosis, you may not have any symptoms. That’s because the germs that cause this illness can live in your body without making you sick. In fact, most people who get infected with TB are able to fight the germs before they spread. Doctors call this “latent TB” infection.
But if the germs begin to multiply, you’ll become sick with tuberculosis. Doctors call this “active TB.” Symptoms may include:
- A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
- Pain in your chest
- Coughing up blood or mucus
- Feeling weak or very tired
- Unexplained weight loss
- Chills
- Fever
- Sweating at night
- Having no appetite
See your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. TB can be cured with treatment. Without it, it could be fatal.