Specialties

Pneumonia and Tuberculosis (TB) are serious infections that affect the lungs but differ in their causes, progression, and treatment. Pneumonia is typically an acute infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, leading to inflammation of the lung tissue and air sacs filling with fluid or pus. Symptoms usually include fever, cough with phlegm, chest pain, and difficulty breathing, and it can develop suddenly. In contrast, Tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs but can also spread to other parts of the body. TB progresses more slowly and presents with persistent cough (often with blood), night sweats, weight loss, fever, and fatigue. While pneumonia can often be treated with a short course of antibiotics or antivirals, TB requires long-term multi-drug therapy over several months. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are essential to prevent complications and transmission in both diseases.