Which symptom is associated with tuberculosis?

Which symptom is associated with tuberculosis?

• A. No appetite; weight gain.
• B. Chills, fever, sweating at night.
• C. Excessive thirst.
• D. Hearing loss.

Answer: (B)

Fever, chills, and night sweats are classic systemic signs of tuberculosis. The infection triggers an immune response that raises body temperature (fever), can cause chills as the body fights the bacteria, and leads to night sweats as the individual remains intermittently overheated during sleep. Together, these constitutional symptoms are commonly reported in active TB, making this combination the best match. Loss of appetite with weight gain isn’t typical—TB more often causes weight loss. Excessive thirst isn’t a hallmark of TB and points more toward diabetes or dehydration. Hearing loss isn’t a common TB symptom unless the infection unusually involves the ear, which is not the standard presentation.

Fever, chills, and night sweats are classic systemic signs of tuberculosis. The infection triggers an immune response that raises body temperature (fever), can cause chills as the body fights the bacteria, and leads to night sweats as the individual remains intermittently overheated during sleep. Together, these constitutional symptoms are commonly reported in active TB, making this combination the best match.

Loss of appetite with weight gain isn’t typical—TB more often causes weight loss. Excessive thirst isn’t a hallmark of TB and points more toward diabetes or dehydration. Hearing loss isn’t a common TB symptom unless the infection unusually involves the ear, which is not the standard presentation.