Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. 

Typical symptoms of active pulmonary TB are chronic cough which is sometimes, blood stained, prolonged fever, night sweats, and loss of weight and appetite. It can also present with breathing difficulty and fluid collection within the covering of the lungs.  Identification and proper treatment of this disease is very important.

Non Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) also causes infection in the lungs, skin, lymph node etc. It commonly presents as chronic fever, cough with purulent expectoration, sometimes blood stained. It can mimic tuberculosis (TB) and hence, detailed evaluation is required for proper treatment.