Toggle: English /
Spanish
Pulmonary tuberculosis
Alternative Names:
TB; Tuberculosis - pulmonary; Consumption
Symptoms:
-
Limited to minor cough and mild fever, if apparent
-
Fatigue
-
Unintentional weight loss
-
Coughing up blood
-
Fever and night sweats
-
Phlegm-producing cough
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
-
Wheezing
-
Excessive sweating, especially at night
-
Chest pain
-
Breathing difficulty
Signs and tests:
Examination of the lungs by stethoscope can reveal crackles (unusual breath sounds). Enlarged or tender lymph nodes may be present in the neck or other areas. Fluid may be detectable around a lung. Clubbing of the fingers or toes may be present.
Tests may include:
-
Chest x-ray
-
Sputum cultures
-
Tuberculin skin test
-
Bronchoscopy
-
Thoracentesis
-
Chest CT
-
Interferon (IFN)-gamma blood test. This type of test looks for an immune response to proteins produced by M. tuberculosis. In December 2004, the FDA approved the QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-Gold) test as an alternate to the traditional tuberculin skin test (TST).
-
Rarely, biopsy of the affected tissue (typically lungs, pleura, or lymph nodes)
References:
Ferrara G, Losi M, Meacci M, et al. Routine Hospital Use of a New Commercial Whole Blood Interferon-(gamma) Assay for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis Infection.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med
. 2005 Sep 1;172(5):631-5. Epub 2005 Jun 16.
US Centers for Disease Control. Treatment of Tuberculosis.
MMWR
2003; 52.
Diagnostic Standards: Classification of TB in Adults and Children.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med
2000; 161.
-
Review Date: 9/8/2005
-
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. editorial. Previously reviewed by Allen J. Blaivas, D.O., Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University Hospital, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/6/2004).
|
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's
accreditation program
is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s
editorial process
. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
|
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.