 [ Symptoms ] what are the symptoms of tuberculosis [ Disease ] tuberculosis infection usually occurs initially in the upper part lobe of the lungs the body is immune system however can stop the bacteria from continuing to reproduce thus the immune system can make the lung infection inactive dormant on the other hand if the body is immune system cannot contain the tb bacteria the bacteria will reproduce become active or reactivate in the lungs and spread elsewhere in the body it may take many months from the time the infection initially gets into the lungs until symptoms develop the usual symptoms that occur with an active tb infection are a generalized tiredness or weakness weight loss fever and night sweats if the infection in the lungs worsens then further symptoms can include coughing chest pain coughing up of sputum material from the lungs andor blood and shortness of breath if the infection spreads beyond the lungs the symptoms will depend upon the organs involved