Internal Medicine, by video or in person
Tuberculosis (TB)
The signs, the danger signs that mean hospital now, and how to see a doctor by video from anywhere in Nigeria.
Signs to look for
Tuberculosis (TB)
- A cough that has lasted two weeks or more, sometimes with phlegm or blood
- Fever and night sweats
- Weight loss and a poor appetite
- Tiredness that does not go away
- Chest pain or breathlessness
Tuberculosis is an infection caused by a bacterium. It usually affects the lungs, though it can affect any part of the body, and it spreads through the air when someone with TB of the lungs coughs. TB remains common in Nigeria. It is curable with a course of several antibiotics taken together, usually for six months, but only when it has been confirmed by a test and the whole course is taken. In Nigeria, TB tests and TB medicines are provided free through the national TB programme, at government hospitals, primary health centres and some mission and private hospitals that offer DOTS, directly observed treatment. Nobody should take TB medicines without a diagnosis, and nobody should stop them early.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- A cough that has lasted two weeks or more, sometimes with phlegm or blood
- Fever and night sweats
- Weight loss and a poor appetite
- Tiredness that does not go away
- Chest pain or breathlessness
- Swollen glands in the neck
- In children, poor weight gain or growth
When to See a Doctor
Go to a hospital now if you cough up a lot of blood or are very breathless, or have a severe headache with a stiff neck, confusion, a fit or new weakness, which can mean TB has spread to the brain. See a doctor for a TB test if you have had a cough for two weeks or more, especially with fever, night sweats or weight loss; if you live with someone who has TB; or if you have HIV or diabetes and a cough. TB needs a sputum test, and often a chest X-ray, before any treatment. A doctor can assess your symptoms by video and send you for the right test, including at a free government TB centre.
Treatment options
- A sputum test, such as the rapid GeneXpert test, and often a chest X-ray, to confirm TB before any treatment
- A combination of TB antibiotics, usually for six months, free at DOTS centres in Nigeria
- Directly observed treatment (DOTS), where a health worker supports you to take every dose
- An HIV test, which is offered to everyone with TB
- Checking the people you live with, and preventive treatment for children and others at high risk
- Longer, specialist treatment for drug-resistant TB
Common Questions
Is TB treatment really free in Nigeria?
Yes. The national TB programme provides TB tests and medicines free at government DOTS centres, primary health centres and some mission and private hospitals. You may still pay for transport, a hospital card or other tests, so ask the facility before you go.
Can I buy TB drugs and treat myself?
No. TB must be confirmed by a test first, because many illnesses cause a long cough. The medicines are a combination taken for months, under supervision, and taking the wrong ones or stopping early is how drug-resistant TB develops, which is much harder to cure.
Can a doctor diagnose TB by video?
No. A video consultation can tell you whether your symptoms need a TB test, how urgently, and where to get it free. The diagnosis itself needs a sputum test and often a chest X-ray.
Can TB be cured?
Yes. Most people with TB that is not drug-resistant are cured by completing the full course. Feeling better after a few weeks does not mean the infection has gone, so keep taking every dose until the course ends.
Need Help?
A doctor on a video call, who advises on the right test and treatment, and tells you if you need to be seen in person.
See a doctor by videoIf any of the danger signs on this page applies, go to the nearest hospital now instead.
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Internal Medicine in Lagos →Internal Medicine in Abuja →Internal Medicine in Port Harcourt →Internal Medicine in Jos →Internal Medicine in Ibadan →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Tuberculosis. World Health Organization. Fact sheet.
- WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: module 4: treatment: drug-susceptible tuberculosis treatment. World Health Organization. Clinical guideline.
- Tuberculosis (NG33). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
- Tuberculosis (TB). NHS. Patient information.
- The high cost of free tuberculosis services: patient and household costs associated with tuberculosis care in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Ukwaja KN et al., PLoS One 8(8):e73134, 2013. Peer-reviewed.
Links last checked 29 October 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.