TB in children is harder to spot because young children often cannot cough up phlegm and their symptoms are less clear. Weight is one of the most important clues.
हिंदी में सार
बच्चों में टीबी के लक्षण: लगातार बुखार, 2 हफ़्ते से ज़्यादा खाँसी, वज़न घटना या पिछले 3 महीने में वज़न न बढ़ना, सुस्ती और खेलने में मन न लगना। अगर घर में किसी को टीबी है, तो बच्चे की जाँच ज़रूर करवाएँ। 5 साल से छोटे बच्चों को बचाव का इलाज मिल सकता है।
The official warning signs
India’s National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) uses a four-symptom complex to decide who should be tested for lung TB. The programme says anyone with a cough of more than 2 weeks, with or without other symptoms, should be identified as presumptive TB and tested.
- Cough for 2 weeks or morewith or without phlegm
- Fever for 2 weeks or moreoften rising in the evening
- Night sweatswaking up drenched
- Weight losswithout trying
Other common signs listed by the programme:
- Blood in the phlegmeven a streak
- Chest painor breathlessness
- Loss of appetiteand tiredness
- An abnormal chest X-rayfound during a check-up
Signs in children (NTEP)
The NTEP knowledge base describes a child with presumptive TB as one with any of these:
- Persistent fever
- Cough for more than 2 weeks
- Weight loss or not gaining weightmore than 5% weight loss in the past 3 months, or no weight gain in 3 months despite good food
Recent contact with a person with active TB in the last 2 years makes these signs more important. Children can also get TB of the glands in the neck, bones, spine, abdomen or brain.
If someone at home has TB
Children living with a person who has lung TB should be checked for TB. Under India’s TB preventive treatment guidance, children under 5 who are household contacts can get preventive treatment once active TB is ruled out, without needing a test for TB infection first. See TB preventive treatment.
Take your child to hospital at once if
- fever with a bad headache, vomiting, a stiff neck, unusual sleepiness or a fit
- fast or difficult breathing
- the child stops feeding or drinking
Symptoms alone cannot tell you whether you have TB. If you have a cough or fever for 2 weeks or more, weight loss, night sweats or blood in your phlegm, go to your nearest government health facility and ask for a TB test. TB testing and treatment are free there.
Free TB helpline Ni-kshay Sampark: 1800-11-6666.
Should I get tested?Answer a few yes or no questions based on the official TB warning signs. Nothing is saved.
Start the checklistMore on TB symptoms
Frequently asked questions
Can babies get TB?
Yes, babies and young children can get TB, often from an adult at home. They can become seriously ill quickly, so check early.
How is TB tested in children?
Children who cannot cough up phlegm may give other samples collected by the health team. The programme refers children directly for rapid NAAT testing, along with a check of weight and contact history.
Is TB in children contagious?
Young children rarely spread TB, but the adult they caught it from can. Everyone at home should be checked.
Do children get Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana?
Yes. For a child, payment goes to a parent’s or guardian’s account.
Medical review note. Written from official TB programme guidelines; last checked 16 October 2026. This is general information, not medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, see a doctor at your nearest government health facility.