What are the symptoms of active tuberculosis (TB)?

The correct response identifies the classic symptoms associated with active tuberculosis (TB). A person with active TB typically presents with a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, which may escalate to include coughing up blood—a hallmark indicator of pulmonary involvement. Additionally, chest pain can occur due to inflammation or irritation of the lung lining, adding to the respiratory symptoms.

It’s important to note that while some of the symptoms listed in other options can be associated with TB, they can be too broad or specific. For example, feeling no symptoms might apply to people with latent TB, which is not contagious and does not present the same clinical signs. Additionally, mere loss of appetite is insufficient to indicate active TB, as it is a non-specific symptom that might relate to numerous other health conditions. Symptoms like fatigue, fever, and night sweats are indeed related to active TB, but they are part of a broader profile of symptoms rather than defining features associated with a significant respiratory complaint, which is emphasized in the correct choice. Thus, the selection accurately portrays the distinctive clinical picture of an individual suffering from active tuberculosis.