Similar to tuberculosis, NTM infections generally progress in a slower, gradual manner compared to the usual bacterial infections. NTM lung infection typically presents with chronic symptoms of prolonged cough, breathlessness, fatigue and non-specific chest pains. Patients with NTM lung infection commonly have associated chronic lung conditions (e.g bronchiectasis) that causes dilation of the airways and permanent scarring of the lungs. In instances where it involves blood vessels in the lungs, it may cause patient to cough out blood, called hemoptysis in medical terms. Constitutional symptoms such as prolonged fevers and weight loss are also common symptoms.
