What happens if tuberculosis is not treated?

Tuberculosis is an infection that most often affects the lungs, but it can also involve lymph nodes, bones, the kidneys, the brain or other organs. Without treatment, cough and breathing problems may progress, while fever, night sweats, swollen glands and unintentional weight loss can continue. Pulmonary tuberculosis may remain infectious through the air, particularly in enclosed spaces. The illness can become harder to control and may cause lasting damage in the affected part of the body.

Arrange prompt medical assessment if you have a persistent cough, unexplained fever, night sweats, weight loss, or close contact with someone who has tuberculosis. Testing may include tuberculosis screening, a chest X-ray and samples examined by a laboratory. If active TB is diagnosed, take the prescribed antibiotic treatment exactly as directed; several medicines are commonly used together, and stopping early can allow infection to return or become difficult to treat. Follow local advice about protecting household contacts.

Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, coughing blood, chest pain, confusion, a severe headache or new weakness. Contact a clinician promptly for worsening cough, persistent fever, drenching night sweats or rapid loss of weight, especially after a known exposure.

Ask which form of tuberculosis is being considered, which tests are needed, whether you could spread infection, and how close contacts should be assessed. Ask how to manage medicine side effects and what follow-up will confirm that treatment is working.