Tuberculosis vs. Flu: Causes, Symptoms & Differences

Both tuberculosis and influenza (flu) are medical problems that affect the lungs. Both conditions can cause complications that can be fatal, though this outcome is unlikely.

Causes

• Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium and is spread through the air. The flu is caused by an influenza virus and is spread when someone has contact with a person infected with the flu or with something an infected person has coughed or sneezed on.

Symptoms

• Weight loss, coughing, fever and chest pain are symptoms of tuberculosis. Flu symptoms include fever, fatigue, coughing, muscle aches and sometimes nausea or vomiting.

Diagnosis

• Tuberculosis is diagnosed through skin or blood tests and X-rays or CT scans of the chest. Doctors can test for the flu by taking a culture of mucus or saliva.

Treatment

• Medications are used to treat tuberculosis and flu; examples are ethambutol (Myambutol) for tuberculosis and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for flu.

Considerations

• People who work in populated places such as nursing homes or prisons should be screened for tuberculosis regularly and should receive the flu vaccine, since they are at a higher risk than others for contracting either condition.