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Signs & Symptoms of Miliary Tuberculosis

Miliary, or disseminated, tuberculosis (TB) occurs when the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria spread outside the lungs to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph systems. The infection can lie dormant for years or cause immediate problems. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, most people recover from TB without developing the miliary form of the disease. Elderly adults, children and those with compromised immune systems are at greatest risk for development of miliary TB.

  1. Respiratory Signs and Symptoms

    • Miliary TB always starts in the lungs. As the Myobacterium tuberculosis bacteria infiltrate the lungs, the body forms warty growths, called "tubercles," around the pockets of bacteria in the lung tissue. The tubercles irritate and damage the lung tissue, causing coughing and bloody sputum. The tubercles also affect lung function and capacity, resulting in difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. In addition to the cough and difficulty breathing, the patient may also experience chest pain.

    Fever, Chills and Night Sweats

    • The patient may develop a fever as the body tries to rid itself of the infection. Chills and night sweats are a common occurrence as the patient overheats from the fever, sweats to cool down, then becomes chilled.

    Loss of Appetite, Weight Loss and Anemia

    • The patient may stop eating, because of the fever, the general malaise and fatigue associated with the disease or a combination of factors. During the active phase of the illness, the body is also expending a lot of energy fighting the disease. This, combined with the loss of appetite, can result in rapid weight loss and anemia.

    Swelling of the Lymph Nodes, Liver and Spleen

    • The lymph nodes act as jail cells for bacteria, holding them in place until white blood cells can kill them off. During a systemic infection, the lymph nodes will swell as they fill with bacteria. The liver and spleen serve similar blood-cleaning functions and may become swollen as well.

    Joint Pain

    • If the bacteria spread to bone, there may be pain in the affected bone or the associated joint. The patient may also feel joint pain as a consequence of the fever and general malaise.

    Other Symptoms

    • TB can spread to any area of the body and the symptoms vary greatly, depending on the organ or system affected. In the kidneys, it may cause kidney/lower back pain and blood in the urine. In the skin, it may cause rashes. In addition, once the disease spreads, it could lie dormant and show no symptoms for years.

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