Does tuberculosis always cause fever, and for how many consecutive days?

In general, tuberculosis (TB) may present with several consecutive days of fever, irregular fever, or even no fever at all, depending on the individual case. If there is any suspicion, it is advisable to seek medical consultation promptly. Detailed analysis is as follows:

During active stages of the disease—especially when the condition is uncontrolled—some TB patients may experience persistent fever for several days, typically low-grade. The body temperature often rises in the afternoon or evening and gradually decreases by early morning. This may be accompanied by symptoms such as night sweats, fatigue, and coughing. Such fever can last for a period of time; if left untreated, it may recur or progressively worsen, negatively affecting overall health.

Other TB patients may have irregular fever patterns, experiencing only occasional low-grade fever. After receiving standardized anti-tuberculosis treatment, their fever symptoms may gradually subside, and continuous fever ceases. Additionally, a small number of patients with mild illness or those in the early stages may not exhibit any fever at all, with lung abnormalities detected only through medical examinations. In these cases, diagnosis must be based on a comprehensive evaluation of other symptoms and test results, rather than relying solely on the presence or absence of fever to determine disease severity.

If someone experiences several consecutive days of fever along with symptoms such as coughing and night sweats, timely medical evaluation is necessary. Once diagnosed with tuberculosis, patients must strictly follow medical instructions for treatment and should not discontinue medication on their own. Adequate rest and proper nutrition during treatment are essential to support recovery and reduce recurrence of symptoms such as fever.