Which symptom combination is commonly associated with active tuberculosis?

• A. Night sweats, low-grade fever, fatigue, weight loss
• B. Productive cough with purulent sputum only
• C. High fever with pleuritic chest pain
• D. Asymptomatic exposure only

Answer: (A)

Active tuberculosis most often shows constitutional, or systemic, symptoms alongside lung involvement. Night sweats, a low-grade fever, fatigue, and weight loss reflect the body's ongoing immune response to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and the chronic nature of the disease. This combination is classically seen in active TB, where patients may also develop a productive cough as the lungs become involved, but the systemic signs are the standout clue. In contrast, a cough with purulent sputum alone points more to an acute respiratory infection; a high fever with pleuritic chest pain fits other conditions like pneumonia or pleuritis; and being asymptomatic suggests latent TB rather than active disease.