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Tuberculosis (TB) is a common infectious disease, which is usually diagnosed only when it's too late and hence it is important to be aware of its signs and symptoms. Dr Lalit Anande, Chief Medical Officer, TB hospital, Sewri, Mumbai lists the symptoms of pulmonary TB, which is seen in 90% of cases.
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One of the first and the most common symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis is loss of appetite but it is often ignored.
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Fatigue--Fatigue and weakness also result from the loss of appetite and lung infection which makes it difficult to breathe.
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A persistent cough-- A cough that usually lasts longer than three weeks is a classic sign of pulmonary TB.
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Fever -- If you have low grade fever, which rises during the evening time (as in the case of malaria) or you have high grade fever (temperature 103 F – 104 F) coupled with loss of appetite and cough, then it might indicate tuberculosis.
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Chest pain--The chest starts hurting because of constant coughing even when you have a regular cough. But, in a case of TB, the pain is constant and not just when you are coughing.
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Drastic weight loss--Weight loss is mostly due to loss of appetite, which is the common symptom of TB. Moreover, aversion to food is also a sign of TB, which can lead to weight loss. Hence, do not ignore sudden weight loss.
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Hemoptysis--Hemoptysis or coughing up of blood is also a common sign of TB. Many times the patient might just cough up thick, whitish or cloudy sputum which may or may not contain traces of blood.
