• Published on: Mar 24, 2022
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

Tuberculosis Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

  • WhatsApp share link icon
  • copy & share link icon
  • twitter share link icon
  • facebook share link icon

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infection that mainly affects the lungs. Symptoms of tuberculosis can vary depending on the part of the body infected but may include coughing up blood, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most often affects the lungs. It can also affect other parts of the body including the brain, kidneys, and spine.

Tuberculosis is diagnosed with a simple skin test or by testing a sample of mucus from your lungs. Treatment for tuberculosis usually involves taking antibiotics for 6 to 9 months. Some people may also need to receive treatment for lung damage caused by tuberculosis. With proper treatment, most people with tuberculosis. Symptoms of tuberculosis can vary depending on the severity of the infection, but usually include a persistent cough, chest pain, coughing up blood, fatigue, and weight loss. In some cases, people may also experience night sweats, chills, fever, and shortness of breath.

Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The disease is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread through contact with saliva or mucus from an infected person. The bacteria can also be spread through close contact with someone who has pulmonary tuberculosis (a lung infection).

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs. Symptoms can vary, but may include coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, fever, and weight loss. It can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain, kidneys, and spine. TB is diagnosed with a physical exam and tests that examine your sputum (mucus from your lungs) for bacteria. Treatment typically involves antibiotics and rest. Prevention includes early detection and treatment of active TB cases, as well as vaccinations for certain high-risk groups

Symptoms of tuberculosis can vary depending on the stage of infection. In the early stages, TB may cause fever, night sweats, weight loss, and feelings of sickness (malaise). As the disease progresses, coughing and chest pain may develop. If the infection spreads to other parts of the body, symptoms can include joint pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. There is no one definitive test for diagnosing tuberculosis. Most often a doctor will order a skin test or a chest X-ray. If tuberculosis is suspected, treatment should begin immediately even if a diagnosis has not been confirmed. Treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotics taken for several months. With proper treatment, most people with tuberculosis are cured. Symptoms of tuberculosis depend on where in the body the infection is. In most cases, tuberculosis causes a persistent cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks, along with chest pain and coughing up blood. Other symptoms can include weight loss, night sweats, fever, and fatigue.

Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It usually spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The bacteria can also be spread through contact with saliva, mucus, or other respiratory secretions. Tuberculosis is diagnosed with a medical examination and tests that look for evidence of the infection in your body. Treatment typically involves taking antibiotics for several months.

Symptoms of tuberculosis can be mild or severe. They can include a bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or more, chest pain, coughing up blood, night sweats, weight loss, and fever. Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Tuberculosis is diagnosed with a TB skin test or a chest x-ray. Treatment for tuberculosis includes antibiotics and is usually successful.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that mostly affects the lungs. Symptoms can vary, but usually include coughing (sometimes with blood), chest pain, shortness of breath, and fever. It's spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread if someone comes into contact with the saliva or mucus of an infected person. Tuberculosis is diagnosed with a chest X-ray and a test that checks for bacteria in your sputum (mucus from your lungs). Treatment includes antibiotics and sometimes surgery.

Symptoms of tuberculosis can vary greatly from person to person, and it's important to see a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms for more than two weeks:

- persistent cough

- chest pain

- shortness of breath

- fever

- weight loss

- night sweats

Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most often affects the lungs. The bacteria can also attack other parts of the body, such as the brain, kidneys, or spine. Tuberculosis is diagnosed through a combination of tests, including a physical exam, medical history, chest X-ray, and laboratory tests. Treatment for tuberculosis usually involves taking several drugs for 6 to 9 months.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs. However, TB can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, spine, and kidneys. Symptoms of tuberculosis vary depending on where the infection is located in the body.

Common symptoms of tuberculosis include:

-Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)

-Chest pain

-Fatigue

-Weight loss

-Loss of appetite

-Night sweats

-Fever

-Shortness of breath

Tuberculosis symptoms may include a persistent cough, chest pain, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, sweating at night, weight loss, and fatigue. TB is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It can be spread through the air when a person with TB coughs or sneezes. The bacterium can also be spread through contact with urine, saliva, blood, or other body fluids from a person with TB.

TB is diagnosed with a chest X-ray and by testing samples of sputum (phlegm) for the presence of the bacteria. Treatment for TB includes taking antibiotics for 6 to 9 months. Surgery may also be needed to remove infected tissue.

Read Blog
Monthly Healthy Potluck at Health Hubs: Building Community Wellness in India

Monthly Healthy Potluck at Health Hubs: Building Community Wellness in India

Community-driven health initiatives are becoming an essential part of India’s preventive healthcare movement. While medical technology, AI diagnostics and digital screenings strengthen clinical care, lifestyle habits still remain the foundation of long-term wellness. One powerful but simple community practice gaining popularity is the Monthly Healthy Potluck at Health Hubs.

These potlucks promote healthier eating, strengthen social support systems, and bring people together to learn about nutrition and wellness in an enjoyable and accessible format. SecondMedic’s preventive health framework aligns perfectly with this model by integrating health education, nutrition insights and early-risk awareness into community activities.

This blog explores how monthly healthy potlucks are transforming health hubs across India and supporting preventive lifestyle habits at scale.

 

Why Community Wellness Matters in India

India is witnessing a steep rise in lifestyle-related illnesses.
According to the ICMR-NCD Burden Study:
• Over 100 million Indians live with diabetes
• Heart disease accounts for nearly 28% of all deaths
• Hypertension is becoming prevalent across younger age groups

Simultaneously, NFHS-5 data highlights increasing obesity, poor dietary diversity and rising sedentary behaviour. These challenges signal not just medical issues, but lifestyle gaps.

Community-based wellness initiatives provide the social support and collective learning required to bridge those gaps.

 

What Is a Monthly Healthy Potluck at Health Hubs?

A Monthly Healthy Potluck is a wellness event where:
• Participants bring nutritious homemade dishes
• Recipes focus on balance, low oil and whole ingredients
• Everyone eats together and shares food philosophy
• Health experts provide short preventive care sessions
• Participants learn simple, realistic lifestyle habits

This model transforms health hubs into interactive wellness environments instead of passive medical facilities.

 

Why Healthy Potlucks Work

1. They Make Healthy Eating Enjoyable

Healthy meals often feel restrictive when practiced alone. In a group setting, they become exciting because:
• People discover new recipes
• Participants try dishes they wouldn’t normally cook
• Food presentation inspires creativity
• Everyone learns portion control naturally

2. They Promote Social Accountability

When people cook, share and learn together, they form supportive communities that motivate consistent lifestyle changes.

3. They Strengthen Nutritional Awareness

Nutrition education becomes simpler when demonstrated through real food instead of lectures.

4. They Align with Preventive Healthcare

NITI Aayog’s Preventive Health & Wellness Report highlights behavioural change as a key driver of long-term health improvement. Potlucks encourage achievable, small lifestyle shifts.

 

Components of a Healthy Potluck at SecondMedic Health Hubs

1. Balanced Dish Contributions

Participants are encouraged to bring nutrient-dense dishes such as:
• Millet-based meals
• Vegetable-rich Indian curries
• Lean protein options
• Low-oil tiffin-style foods
• Fermented dishes
• Fruit bowls and salads

This ensures variety, balance and education through real examples.

2. Nutrition Spotlights

Health experts share quick insights on:
• Portion control
• Glycemic index
• Healthy cooking oils
• Hidden sugars
• Smart plate design
• Hydration science

These micro-education sessions empower participants to make better decisions at home.

3. Preventive Health Mini-Screenings

SecondMedic integrates:
• BMI checks
• Blood pressure assessments
• Sugar evaluations
• Quick fatigue and stress scoring

These screenings help individuals understand their health status while encouraging early intervention.

4. Recipe Exchange Corners

Participants document and exchange easy-to-cook healthy recipes. This fosters a culture of shared learning and innovation.

5. Wellness Activities

Events may include:
• 5-minute yoga routines
• Breathing exercises
• Mindfulness techniques
• Movement challenges

These fun micro-activities teach participants how to incorporate wellness effortlessly into daily routines.

 

How Healthy Potlucks Support India’s Preventive Health Movement

Encouraging Long-Term Dietary Shifts

When individuals repeatedly attend monthly events, their meal choices gradually transform. Consistency builds habits.

Reducing Fear Around Healthy Cooking

Seeing others prepare simple, tasty, low-oil dishes removes the stigma that healthy food is bland or difficult.

Strengthening Social Connectivity

Community bonds reduce stress, loneliness and isolation-factors known to weaken immunity and increase chronic disease risk.

Improving Health Literacy

Real-time demonstrations outperform written instructions. It becomes easier to understand nutrient density, fibre-rich meals and balanced plates when they are visually presented.

Supporting Digital Health Ecosystems

SecondMedic integrates event data into digital dashboards:
• Meal analysis
• Health scores
• Lifestyle tracking
• Preventive alerts

This combination of offline community activity and online tracking strengthens long-term adherence.

 

Example of a Healthy Potluck Spread

• Moong dal khichdi with vegetables
• Ragi roti with garlic chutney
• Grilled paneer salad
• Millet upma
• Fruit and nut platter
• Sprout chaat with lemon
• Buttermilk infused with mint

These items are affordable, accessible and easy to prepare-ideal for the Indian lifestyle.

 

Conclusion

Monthly Healthy Potlucks at Health Hubs offer a simple yet powerful model for promoting preventive healthcare in India. These events blend nutrition, social bonding, lifestyle learning and community-led motivation. They encourage individuals to adopt healthier habits without pressure, restriction or complexity.

With SecondMedic’s integrated preventive care framework, these potlucks become more than social gatherings-they become catalysts for building healthier communities, improving dietary behaviour and supporting long-term wellness.

 

References

• ICMR NCD Burden Study - Lifestyle & Dietary Risk Factors in India
• National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• NITI Aayog - Preventive Health & Community Wellness Framework
• Lancet Public Health India - Impact of Community Nutrition Programs
• WHO Guidelines on Community Health Promotion
• Statista India Wellness & Healthy Eating Behaviour Report
• EY-FICCI Integrated Preventive Care Model for India

See all

Live Doctor consultation
Live Doctor Chat

Download Our App & Get Consultation from anywhere.

App Download
call icon for mobile number calling and whatsapp at secondmedic