Which of the following is a common symptom of tuberculosis (TB)?

Chills and night sweats are indeed common symptoms of tuberculosis (TB). Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, often affecting the lungs but potentially affecting other parts of the body as well. One of the hallmark features of TB is the systemic response to the infection, which can lead to flu-like symptoms. Chills and night sweats occur due to the body's immune response as it tries to fight off the infection. The fever associated with TB tends to be low-grade and can fluctuate, often worsening at night, leading to excessive sweating.

In contrast, severe shortness of breath, chest pain manifesting immediately, and unexplained fever without other symptoms may not be typical presentations of TB. While some patients may experience shortness of breath if the disease progresses significantly, it is not an initial or common symptom. Chest pain associated with TB usually develops later in the course of the disease and is more commonly related to lung involvement or complications rather than manifesting immediately. Lastly, while unexplained fever can be a symptom, it is typically accompanied by other signs, such as weight loss, fatigue, and the hallmark chills and night sweats, rather than occurring alone without further symptoms.