This type of TB is diagnosed when the bacteria that causes TB is found in the sputum sample taken from the patient during a physical examination. The diagnosis may then be confirmed by a chest x-ray or other imaging test. Clinically Diagnosed TB. This type of TB is diagnosed based on symptoms such as fever, coughing, and weight loss over an extended period without any laboratory tests being done to confirm the diagnosis. Miliary TB. Miliary tuberculosis is an advanced form of TB that affects multiple organs in the body including the lungs, lymph nodes and kidneys. It is caused by an overwhelming number of bacteria entering the bloodstream at once and circulating throughout the body causing damage to multiple organs simultaneously. Miliary tuberculosis can be difficult to diagnose because it usually does not cause any visible symptoms until it has already spread through multiple parts of the body.