3. Weight Loss
This is a symptom of tuberculosis if the weight loss was not intentional. Obviously, if a patient has been trying to lose weight and has taken on diet and exercise, then this doesn’t count as a symptom. When the loss occurs after the illness, especially if it is rapid, then that can be a strong sign of TB.
Back in the days of early modern medicine (and before), this disease was called “consumption” by many people. This was because of the extreme weight loss seen in a lot of patients, making them believe that the disease was consuming them from the inside out. This was even attributed to demonic possession in ancient times, with the belief that a demon was inside of them eating the patient apart from the inside out. The extreme coughing made some believe that was the person trying to evict the demon from their body.