Which of the following is NOT a common symptom of tuberculosis?

Severe headaches are not typically considered a common symptom of tuberculosis (TB). TB primarily affects the lungs, and its symptoms are predominantly respiratory and systemic in nature. The hallmark symptoms of TB include a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, night sweats, and weight loss, which occur due to the body's response to the infection and the effects it has on overall health.

Coughing for more than three weeks indicates a significant respiratory issue and aligns with the chronic cough associated with TB as the body struggles to expel the bacteria. Night sweats are also frequently reported among patients with TB due to fever and the body's effort to fight the infection. Weight loss occurs as the disease consumes the body's resources and appetite may decrease.

While headaches can occur in various illnesses, they are not specifically indicative of TB, and when they do occur in tuberculosis patients, they are often secondary to other complications or co-morbid conditions rather than a primary feature of the disease. Thus, severe headaches stand out as the symptom that is not intrinsic to tuberculosis itself.