Can HIV infection cause tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that can remain contained in the body without causing active illness. HIV can weaken the immune cells involved in that control, allowing TB to become active or return. Active TB may affect the lungs or other organs. Symptoms can include a persistent cough, fever, night sweats, tiredness, weight loss or swollen lymph nodes, but the pattern can vary. HIV does not create TB bacteria, and having HIV does not mean a person definitely has tuberculosis.

If you have HIV, keep appointments for HIV care and ask whether TB screening is suitable for you, particularly after close contact with someone who has active TB. Tell the clinician about cough, fever, night sweats or unexplained weight loss. Testing may involve a symptom review, a blood or skin test, chest imaging or a sample, depending on the situation. Take HIV treatment and any TB treatment exactly as prescribed; clinicians can check for interactions and side effects.

Contact a clinician promptly for a persistent cough, coughing blood, ongoing fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss or worsening breathlessness. Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, significant bleeding or confusion. If active TB is suspected, follow infection-control advice while awaiting assessment, especially around people who may have weakened immunity.

Ask whether you need TB screening, which test is appropriate, and how HIV treatment affects the result. Ask how preventive or active TB treatment would fit with your current medicines and what symptoms should trigger a same-day call.