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Body parts affected by tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a disease of the lungs. The infection can spread via the blood from the lungs to other organs in the body.

You can develop tuberculosis

 

  • in the pleura (the covering of the lungs)

  • in the bones

  • in the urinary tract

Tuberculosis can also affect the kidneys, spine and brain. Symptoms in these cases vary, according to which organs are involved. (e.g.: Tuberculosis of the spine might give you back pain and tuberculosis in your kidneys might cause blood in your urine.)

 

Tuberculosis that doesn’t develop in the lungs can cause skin, bowel and gynaecological problems.

  • in the sexual organs

  • lymph nodes in the lung root and on the throat

  • in the intestines and even in the skin

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