TB is a disease with a reputation for going after your lungs; it is technically called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.
After coming into contact with tuberculosis everyone seems to get sick at different times. Some people never get sick, while others experience symptoms weeks, months or even years later. The average time to show symptoms after coming into contact with TB is 1-6 months.
TB can be detected using a skin test and a blood test. A positive reaction to either test will signal that you have latent TB or TB disease. Even if you have no symptoms but think you have come into contact with TB you should contact your local Urgent Care Center for a TB test.
Symptoms:
The Most Common Symptoms for Miliary TB Include:
- Bad cough that extends 3+ weeks
- Pain in your chest
- Coughing up blood or excessive phlegm
- Feeling continually weak or abnormally fatigue
- Unexplained appetite loss and subsequent weight loss
- Chills
- Fever
- Night sweats
If you have TB meningitis the symptoms are similar but more serious symptoms will start to arise including:
- Vomiting
- Headaches that are severe and persistent
- Feeling worse under certain (or all) lighting
- Stiff neck
- Seizure
TB meningitis is the most sever form of TB, if you think you have TB meningitis it’s important to visit your local Emergency Room right away. You want to seek treatment before brain damage has a chance to develop.
Risk factors:
You are at a much greater risk for contracting TB if you:
- Are HIV positive
- Are Experiencing Kidney failure
- Have been infected with TB within the previous 2 years
- Improper treatment of previous TB disease
- Are Diabetic
- Abuse drugs or alcohol
- Have a weakened immune system for any reason at all
