Symptoms of tuberculosis differ according to the infection's stage and location. However, the respiratory system is largely involved in the most prevalent indications and symptoms of active tuberculosis:

A persistent cough lasts over three weeks and frequently produces blood or phlegm.

• Chest Pain: A chest discomfort or soreness that worsens when you cough or breathe.
• Unintentional Weight Loss: Notable weight loss without dieting or exercising more.
• Fatigue: A persistent state of exhaustion and low energy.
• Fever: A mild fever that may come on suddenly or last for a while.
• Night Sweats: Excessive perspiration that soaks into garments and bedding during the night.
• Appetite Loss: A discernible decline in the urge to consume food.
• Breathing difficulties: Having trouble breathing, particularly when exercising.

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, which travels from person to person through the air, is the primary cause of tuberculosis. However, the following factors increase one's risk of developing tuberculosis:

• Close Contact with an Infected Individual: Prolonged contact with an individual who is currently suffering from tuberculosis increases the chance of transmission.
• Weak Immune System: The immune system is weakened by diseases like HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or malnutrition, which increases the body's vulnerability to tuberculosis.
• Living or Working in High-Risk Areas: Individuals who reside in areas where tuberculosis is highly prevalent or in densely populated areas are more susceptible.
• Substance Abuse: Drinking alcohol or using drugs might impair immunity, which raises the risk of tuberculosis.
• Travel to Endemic Areas: Travelling to or living in countries with high occurrences of TB augments the risk of exposure to the bacteria.

Tuberculosis can cause serious health problems, including death if it is not treated. TB-related risks and complications include the following:

• Chronic Lung Damage: If pulmonary tuberculosis is left untreated, it may result in long-term lung damage and persistent respiratory problems.
• Spread to Other Organs: Tuberculosis (TB) has the potential to spread to other regions of the body, leading to consequences such as kidney damage, spinal discomfort, and meningitis, which is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• Drug-Resistant TB: Drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis (TB) can arise from inadequate therapy or medication adherence, making the disease more challenging to treat.
• HIV/TB Co-Infection: People living with HIV are more likely to become infected with TB, which can accelerate the development of both conditions.
• Respiratory Failure: Severe tuberculosis cases can result in respiratory failure, a potentially fatal condition that needs to be treated very quickly.

For successful treatment of tuberculosis and the avoidance of complications, early diagnosis is essential. TB is diagnosed using a variety of methods, including:

• Medical Background and Physical Assessment: After obtaining a thorough medical history that covers symptoms and tuberculosis exposure, a physical examination with a special emphasis on the lungs is performed.
• Purified protein derivative (PPD) is injected subcutaneously in modest amounts as part of the tuberculin skin test (TST). A positive response suggests tuberculosis exposure.
• Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs): These blood tests are used to identify latent tuberculosis (TB) by measuring the immunological response to TB bacteria.
• Chest X-ray: An X-ray is useful for detecting lung anomalies or lesions that may be TB-related. 
• Sputum Test: To find out if TB bacteria are present, a sample of sputum or mucus from the lungs is either cultured or viewed under a microscope.
• Molecular testing: Quick diagnosis is facilitated by rapid molecular testing that identifies medication resistance and tuberculosis bacteria, such as the Xpert MTB/RIF assay.