No. TB can affect almost any part of the body. It is broadly classified into:

• Pulmonary TB (PTB): Affects the lungs and spreads through coughing, sneezing, or close contact.
  

• Extra-Pulmonary TB (EPTB): Affects other organs such as lymph nodes, spine, brain, abdomen, bones, kidneys, or reproductive organs.
  

TB bacteria usually enter the body through the lungs but can travel via blood or lymph nodes to other organs.

Different sites have different symptoms:

• Spinal TB: Severe back pain, stiffness, difficulty walking
  

• Lymph node TB: Painless swelling of neck or armpit lymph nodes
  

• Brain TB (TB meningitis): Headache, vomiting, altered consciousness
  

• Abdominal TB: Abdominal pain, swelling, digestive issues
  

Bone/joint TB: Persistent joint pain, restricted movement

• Persistent cough for more than 2 weeks
  

• Fever (often in evenings)
  

• Night sweats
  

• Weight loss
  

• Coughing blood

• Loss of appetite

TB can affect anyone — men, women, transgender, and gender-diverse people. Access to stigma-free care is a right for everyone. If you face discrimination, you can raise concerns via TB program grievance systems or reach out to TB community groups.

Children can also get TB, often from an adult at home. Symptoms can be similar to adults.

Treatment is available in child-friendly formulations at government centers. Parents should:

• Follow up regularly with the doctor

• Inform the school so the child can recover fully