Fig. 1

Appraisal delay is the time a person takes to evaluate a symptom as a sign of illness. Illness delay is the time the person takes from the first sign of illness until deciding to seek professional medical care. Utilization delay is the time from the decision to seek care until the consult at a health facility. System delay is the time from the first consultation to initiation of treatment. The red arrow indicates the appraisal date, at which time the patient recognizes possible TB as the explanation for his or her symptoms