What are the symptoms of tuberculosis in the throat?
Tuberculosis (TB) affecting the throat, specifically the larynx (laryngeal TB), is a less common form of the disease but presents with distinct symptoms. These symptoms can often be mistaken for other throat ailments.
- Hoarseness or voice loss: A persistent change in your voice, ranging from a raspy tone to complete loss of voice, is a significant indicator.
- Painful swallowing (odynophagia): Difficulty or pain when swallowing food or liquids.
- Feeling of a lump in the throat: A sensation of something obstructing the throat, even in the absence of a visible lump.
- Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, potentially linked to inflammation or swelling in the throat.
- Throat pain: A persistent sore throat, possibly accompanied by a burning sensation. This is a major symptom when TB attacks the larynx.
- Cough: While not exclusively a throat symptom, a persistent cough is frequently associated with laryngeal TB, especially if it's accompanied by other throat symptoms.
While some sources mention swollen lymph nodes in the neck (cervical lymphadenopathy) as a symptom, this is more closely associated with scrofula (a form of TB affecting the lymph nodes) rather than solely laryngeal TB. A cough lasting longer than 3 weeks, chest pain, or coughing up blood are associated with pulmonary TB, which may or may not be present alongside laryngeal TB.
It's crucial to understand that these symptoms can be caused by various other conditions. A proper diagnosis requires medical evaluation. If you experience any of these symptoms, especially in conjunction with other potential TB signs (fever, weight loss, fatigue), consult a healthcare professional immediately for testing and treatment.
