Brain TB usually means TB meningitis, an infection of the coverings of the brain. It is serious, but treatable, and the earlier treatment starts, the better the outcome.
हिंदी में सार
दिमाग की टीबी (टीबी मेनिनजाइटिस) में 5 दिन या ज़्यादा बुखार, सिरदर्द के साथ उल्टी, गर्दन में अकड़न या दर्द, बेहोशी या उलझन, दौरे, या हाथ-पैर में कमज़ोरी हो सकती है। यह इमरजेंसी है: तुरंत अस्पताल जाएँ।
Signs of brain TB
- Fever for 5 days or more
- Headache with vomiting
- Neck pain or a stiff neck
- Confusion or drowsinessor a change in behaviour
- Fits (seizures)
- Weakness of an arm or legor a squint or drooping eyelid
This is an emergency
The NHS advises emergency care for a stiff neck with a severe headache, pain on looking at bright lights, a fit, sudden confusion or weakness of part of the body. Do not wait for a TB test at a local clinic; go to a hospital.
How it is treated
Treatment of TB meningitis is longer than lung TB. The ICMR workflow describes an intensive phase of 2 months followed by a continuation phase of at least 10 months, so at least 12 months in total, with steroids for some weeks. Your doctors decide the details. See extrapulmonary TB treatment.
Never stop or change TB medicines on your own
Do not stop, skip or change your TB medicines without talking to your doctor or DOTS provider, even if you feel better. Stopping early can bring TB back and can make it drug-resistant.
Contact your health facility at once if you have:
- yellow eyes or yellow skin, or dark urine with pale stools
- any change in your eyesight, such as blurring or trouble seeing colours
- severe or repeated vomiting, or you cannot keep food down
- a skin rash, itching with swelling, or blisters
Get help the same day if
- fever with severe headache, vomiting and a stiff neck
- confusion, unusual drowsiness or a fit
- sudden weakness of an arm, leg or face
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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is brain TB curable?
Yes, it can be treated successfully, especially when treatment starts early and the full course is completed.
Is brain TB contagious?
TB meningitis itself does not usually spread person to person, but the person may also have lung TB, which can.
What is the last stage of brain TB?
Untreated brain TB can cause lasting damage. That is why fever with headache and vomiting must be checked urgently.
How long is brain TB treatment?
At least 12 months in total under the ICMR workflow, sometimes longer, as the doctor decides.
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.