Overview
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that most often affects the lungs. It spreads through the air and remains among the world's leading infectious killers, though it is preventable and curable.
Symptoms and testing
A cough lasting more than two weeks, fever, night sweats and weight loss warrant TB evaluation. Diagnosis uses sputum tests (including rapid molecular tests), chest imaging and clinical assessment.
Care pathways
Standard TB treatment lasts several months and must be completed to cure the disease and prevent drug resistance. Many countries, including India and Kenya, provide free TB diagnosis and treatment through national programmes.