TB (tuberculosis) usually affects the lungs, causing a long cough, fever, night sweats and weight loss. It can also affect glands, bones, the spine, the brain, the abdomen, the skin and other organs. Here are the official warning signs, and what to do next.
हिंदी में सार
टीबी के मुख्य लक्षण: 2 हफ़्ते या ज़्यादा खाँसी, 2 हफ़्ते या ज़्यादा बुखार, रात को पसीना, वज़न घटना। बलगम में खून, सीने में दर्द और भूख कम लगना भी आम हैं। लक्षण हों तो सरकारी केंद्र पर मुफ़्त जाँच करवाएँ। पूरी हिंदी जानकारी नीचे 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
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 checklistTB outside the lungs
When TB affects other organs it is called extrapulmonary TB. People may still have fever, weight loss and night sweats, plus signs from the organ involved. Choose a part of the body:
TB symptoms body mapTap a part of the body to see how TB can show up there.
Open the body mapSymptoms in men, women, children and adults
When it is urgent
Go to a hospital the same day if there is
- a lot of blood when coughing, or bad breathlessness
- severe headache with vomiting, a stiff neck, confusion, drowsiness or a fit
- sudden weakness or numbness in the legs, or trouble passing urine, with back pain
- severe belly pain with vomiting and no passing of stool or gas
How TB spreads and who is at risk
TB spreads through the air when a person with active TB in the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings. It is not spread by shaking hands, sharing food or drink, or touching bed linen. The WHO says about 5% to 10% of people infected with TB eventually get symptoms and develop TB disease.
People living with someone who has lung TB, people with HIV, people on medicines that weaken immunity, and people with silicosis, on dialysis or preparing for a transplant need extra care. They may be offered TB preventive treatment.
What happens when you go for a test
Tell the doctor your symptoms
Say how long the cough or fever has lasted, any weight loss and whether anyone at home has TB.
Give a sputum sample
You will usually give phlegm for a rapid molecular test (NAAT) such as CBNAAT or Truenat, which also checks for drug resistance. See TB tests.
Other tests if needed
A chest X-ray, or tests on fluid or tissue for TB outside the lungs.
Start free treatment if TB is found
You are notified on Ni-kshay, get a Ni-kshay ID and start treatment. See TB treatment.
टीबी के लक्षण: हिंदी में पूरी जानकारी
राष्ट्रीय टीबी उन्मूलन कार्यक्रम के अनुसार फेफड़ों की टीबी के चार मुख्य लक्षण हैं: 2 हफ़्ते या उससे ज़्यादा खाँसी, 2 हफ़्ते या उससे ज़्यादा बुखार (अक्सर शाम को), रात को पसीना और बिना कारण वज़न घटना।
दूसरे आम लक्षण: बलगम में खून, सीने में दर्द, भूख कम लगना, थकान, और छाती के एक्स-रे में बदलाव।
टीबी शरीर के दूसरे हिस्सों में भी हो सकती है, जैसे गर्दन की गाँठें, हड्डी, रीढ़, दिमाग, पेट, त्वचा और गर्भाशय। लक्षण उस हिस्से पर निर्भर करते हैं।
लक्षणों से बीमारी तय नहीं होती। ये लक्षण कई बीमारियों में होते हैं। केवल जाँच से पता चलता है कि टीबी है या नहीं। अगर ऊपर के लक्षण हैं, तो नज़दीकी सरकारी अस्पताल या स्वास्थ्य केंद्र जाकर टीबी की जाँच करवाएँ। जाँच और इलाज मुफ़्त हैं।बलगम में खून आए, तेज़ सिरदर्द के साथ उल्टी या बेहोशी हो, या साँस बहुत फूले, तो उसी दिन अस्पताल जाएँ।
टीबी हेल्पलाइन (नि-क्षय संपर्क): 1800-11-6666, मुफ़्त।
Frequently asked questions
What are the first symptoms of TB?
Often a cough that does not go away after 2 weeks, mild fever in the evening, tiredness and loss of appetite. Weight loss and night sweats may follow. Because these start slowly, people often wait too long.
What are the 4 main symptoms of TB?
The NTEP four-symptom complex is cough for more than 2 weeks, fever for more than 2 weeks, night sweats and weight loss.
What are the “10 symptoms” of TB?
Screening lists vary. The signs the programme lists are cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss, blood in the phlegm, chest pain, loss of appetite and an abnormal chest X-ray, plus signs from organs outside the lungs such as a lump in the neck or long-lasting back pain. Any of them means: see a doctor and get tested.
Can you have TB without a cough?
Yes. TB outside the lungs often causes no cough. The signs depend on the organ, such as a swelling in the neck or back pain. Latent TB infection causes no symptoms at all.
Does TB always cause fever?
Not always, but long-lasting fever, often in the evening, is common.
Is TB curable?
Yes. The WHO and the Central TB Division say TB is curable when the prescribed medicines are taken for the full course. See is TB curable.
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.