Tuberculosis

A contagious disease that typically affects the lungs, tuberculosis (TB) is another reason for unexplained weight loss. Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria are to blame. Major TB symptoms include weight loss and decreased appetite, but the causes are not entirely known. TB spreads through air droplets. You can get TB even if you feel healthy. The bacteria will stop reproducing if your immune system is able to combat it. Latent TB is the name for this. It may develop into active TB over time.

These signs include:

• Bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or more
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood or phlegm
• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• Chills
• Fever
• ...

Some people are vulnerable to having active TB. This includes those with weakened immune systems, particularly those who:

• Low body weight
• Substance use disorder
• Diabetes
• Silicosis
• Leukemia
• Hodgkin’s disease
• HIV
• Organ transplant
• ...