What are the symptoms of tuberculosis?

Pulmonary tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs. Its typical symptoms can be summarized as follows: long-term cough, usually dry or accompanied by small amounts of mucous sputum, with symptoms gradually worsening, particularly noticeable at night or upon waking in the morning; accompanied by varying degrees of low-grade fever, often in the form of afternoon fever, with body temperature commonly between 37–38°C, persisting for weeks or even months; night sweats during sleep, known as nocturnal diaphoresis; patients may also experience systemic symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, and decreased appetite, caused by the toxic effects of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and chronic consumption by the body; as the disease progresses, some patients may experience hemoptysis, manifested as blood-tinged sputum or massive hemoptysis; in addition, female patients may exhibit endocrine disorders such as menstrual irregularities. The symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis are diverse and easily confused with other respiratory diseases; professional examinations are required for accurate diagnosis.