A normal cough caused by changing weather or dust gets cured in a few days, but if your cough persists for weeks, do not ignore it. Often people waste time in home remedies thinking that chronic cough is a simple allergy, whereas it can be an early symptom of Tuberculosis (TB).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), timely detection of TB is the first step to its successful treatment. Cough is a common problem that is part of the common cold, but in some cases it can also be a sign of a serious disease like TB (tuberculosis).
Disclaimer: This article is based on information received from public sources or experts. Always consult your doctor before starting any new medicine or supplement.
Senior gastroenterologist of Gastro Liver Hospital, Dr. V.K. According to Mishra, if cough persists for a long time then it can be a sign of some serious infection or disease in the body. Taking it lightly can be dangerous. Let us know from experts how to differentiate between normal cough and TB cough.
When should cough be considered serious?
If your cough persists for more than 2-3 weeks, it may be a matter of concern. Especially with cough, these symptoms also appear like
- persistent mucus
- blood in mucus
- fever or night sweats
- unexplained weight loss
- chest pain or heaviness
- All these symptoms can be signs of Tuberculosis (TB). You should immediately consult a doctor and get tested.
How to identify TB cough and normal cough?
Duration of cough is the biggest identification.
A normal cough usually gets better in 5-7 days and lasts for a maximum of 1-2 weeks. But TB cough persists for more than 2 weeks, which should not be ignored. According to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Global Tuberculosis Report and research published in Infectious Disease Clinics, a cough lasting more than 2 weeks is considered “sub-acute.” Research shows that persistent cough is the first symptom in 60-90% of pulmonary TB patients. Common viral bronchitis resolves on its own within 10 days.
Mucus & Blood with cough
A normal cough may produce light mucus, but it does not contain blood. If blood is seen in the sputum along with cough, then it can be a sign of TB cough, do not ignore it. According to the American Family Physician General, coughing up blood is a sign of rupture of lung tissue.
Identify cough by fever pattern (Fever Pattern)
Normal cough may cause mild fever, which resolves in a few days. But in TB, increasing fever and chills in the evening are common symptoms. According to the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, TB bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) affects the metabolism of the body. According to research, due to the release of ‘circadian cytokines’ in TB patients, the body temperature often rises to around 38°C (100.4°F) in the evening, which comes down with sweating at night.
Effect is also visible on weight and appetite (Weight Loss & Appetite)
In normal cough, there is no significant effect on weight and appetite, but in TB cough, there is rapid weight loss and loss of appetite. According to a study published in The Lancet, TB causes ‘hyper-metabolism’ in the body. TB bacteria rapidly depletes the body’s energy reserves, causing weight loss by 5-10% without any diet or exercise.
Chest pain is also recognized.
Normal cough is usually limited to the throat and there is no pain in the chest, but if you feel pain in the chest while coughing then it can be a symptom of TB cough.
In TB cough, pain may be felt in the chest or lungs.
When to get tested?
If you have cough for more than 2 weeks, along with fever, weight loss or blood in the sputum, contact a doctor immediately. TB can be easily identified through sputum test, X-ray or gene expert test.