Tuberculosis is still widely perceived as a disease of the lungs, often associated with chronic cough and breathlessness. However, a significant number of patients never develop noticeable pulmonary symptoms.

Instead, the infection quietly spreads to other parts of the body, leading to what is known as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

These forms, affecting lymph nodes, bones, and even the brain, are frequently overlooked and diagnosed late, increasing the risk of serious complications.

According to World Health Organisation, around 10.6 million people developed tuberculosis in 2023, with nearly 15 to 20 percent of cases classified as extrapulmonary.

In countries like India, the burden is even higher, particularly among children, women, and immunocompromised individuals.

India carries nearly 27 percent of the global tuberculosis burden, reporting over 2.8 million new cases each year. Of these, approximately 20 to 25 percent are extrapulmonary.

This translates into several lakh patients annually dealing with forms of TB that are harder to detect and often more damaging in the long run. "Tuberculosis is not just a lung disease.

A substantial proportion of patients present with extrapulmonary involvement, and these cases are often missed because their symptoms mimic other illnesses," explains Dr Ravi Shekhar Jha, Director and Unit Head, Pulmonology at Fortis Escorts Hospital Faridabad.

Source:Ndtv