Miliary TB
Blood-borne dissemination gives rise to miliary TB, which may present acutely but more frequently is characterised by 2–3 weeks of fever, night sweats, anorexia, weight loss and a dry cough. Hepatosplenomegaly may develop and the presence of a headache may indicate coexistent tuberculous meningitis. Auscultation of the chest is frequently normal but
in more advanced disease widespread crackles are evident. Fundoscopy may show choroidal tubercles. The classical appearances on chest X-ray are of ne 1–2 mm lesions (‘millet seed’) distributed throughout the lung elds, although occasionally the appearances are coarser. Anaemia and leucopenia refect bone marrow involvement