Breaking News:City life can mask symptoms of TB– What Just Happened

A persistent cough dismissed as seasonal, fatigue written off as overwork, a mild fever left to pass on its own… Doctors say these are symptoms letting tuberculosis take hold in urban Ahmedabad. 

Pulmonologists warn that delayed diagnosis is pushing patients to seek help at later, harder-to-treat stages.  TB has traditionally been associated with rural or economically vulnerable populations. Cities have created a different kind of problem. Busy lives, easy access to over-the-counter medication and a habit of waiting out a cough are giving the disease time it should not have. Dr Kashmira Jhala, pulmonologist at Apollo Hospitals, said the consequences are visible. “We are seeing patients presenting at a later stage because early symptoms such as persistent cough, mild fever, fatigue or weight loss are often ignored or mistaken for seasonal illnesses,” she said.

The rule of thumb is simpler than most people realise. “In urban settings, self-medication and delayed consultation are common, which can impact early diagnosis. Any cough lasting more than two weeks should be evaluated, as early detection through simple tests like chest X-rays and sputum examination can help prevent complications and reduce transmission,” Dr Jhala added.

Nutrition is an overlooked line of defence, doctors say, particularly for teenagers, where skipping meals weakens immunity.

Drug resistance

City-based pulmonologist Dr Vaishal Sheth said the bigger threat is what happens when patients stop treatment early. “TB is completely curable with timely and complete treatment but stopping medication midway can lead to relapse and even drug-resistant TB, more difficult to manage,” he said.

A faster diagnostic route exists. “Cartridge-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT), which runs on the GeneXpert system, rapidly detects TB and rifampicin resistance within two hours. However, low awareness leads to self-medication and improper therapy, increasing drug resistance. Promoting timely CBNAAT testing is crucial for better TB control and outcomes,” Dr Sheth said. Doctors advise completing the full course of treatment and registering at government facilities, which provide medicines with high efficacy.

Vulnerable groups need early attention

Dr Harjit Dumra, senior consultant in pulmonology and critical care at KD Hospital, said the tools exist but patient behaviour has not caught up. “Government programmes have improved access to diagnosis and treatment and newer therapies are shorter, less toxic and more effective. But challenges like self-medication, delayed care-seeking and poor adherence persist,” he said.

“Particular attention is needed for vulnerable groups such as young children and the elderly, who are at higher risk of contracting and developing more severe forms of the disease. Therefore, anyone having symptoms should immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment, to avoid infecting their family, near ones,” Dr Dumra said.

TB: what you need to know
TB most commonly affects the lungs but can occur in the intestine, spine, bones or lymph nodes, making diagnosis more complex. Those with weakened immunity, including people undergoing dialysis, chemotherapy or living with chronic illness, remain most vulnerable.

Common symptoms
    Cough lasting over 2-3 weeks
    Coughing up sputum, sometimes with blood
    Fever, often in the evening
    Night sweats
    Unexplained weight and appetite loss
    Fatigue, weakness
    Chest pain or difficulty breathing
    In children and the elderly, symptoms may be less typical; early evaluation is important