Tuberculosis Primary tuberculosis pneumonia This uncommon type of TB presents as pneumonia and is very infectious.
Patients have a high fever and productive cough.
It occurs most often in extremely young children and the elderly. It is also seen in patients with immunosuppression, such as HIV-infected and AIDS patients, and in patients on long term corticosteroid therapy. This usually develops soon after initial infection. Usually, a couple of tablespoons of fluid can be found in the pleural space. A chest x-ray shows significant amounts of fluid.