Tuberculosis (TB)
What is it? Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection
caused by a germ called the tubercle bacillus or Mycobacterium
tuberculosis. Until effective anti-tuberculosis drugs were
introduced about 50 years ago, TB was one of the main causes of
death
How could I catch it? Tuberculosis is spread in
a similar way to a common cold; by coughing and sneezing. However,
it is much more difficult to catch tuberculosis than it is to catch
a cold, because you need to spend a prolonged amount of time in
close contact with an infectious person to be at risk. Tuberculosis
is unlikely to be spread through spitting and cannot be spread by
sharing objects.
Therefore, it is unlikely that you will catch tuberculosis
unless you are living in the same household as someone who is
infectious. Even if this is the case, only about 10% of people who
become infected with tuberculosis go on to develop the condition.
In most cases, the tubercle bacillus germs are destroyed or
contained by your immune system.
You may have an increased risk of catching tuberculosis if:
- you have been living in the same household, or in prolonged,
close contact with someone with infectious tuberculosis,
- you have spent a lot of time in a country with high rates of
tuberculosis, such as south-east Asia, sub-Saharan Africa or parts
of eastern Europe,
- your parents come from a country with a high rate of
tuberculosis,
- you live in over-crowded, unhealthy conditions, such as those
who are homeless,
- you have been in prison,
- you misuse drugs or alcohol,
- you do not eat enough to be fit and healthy,
- your immune system is damaged, such as those who are HIV
positive or those undergoing chemotherapy, or
- you could have been exposed to tuberculosis when you were
younger and it was more common in the UK.
How do I know if I've got it? Symptoms of
pulmonary TB include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight,
night sweats and persistent cough. Phlegm coughed up may be
streaked with blood. Tuberculous pleurisy (affecting the membranes
around the lungs) leads to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural
cavity (the normally very small space between the membranes) and
partial collapse of the lung.
What should I do to find out if I have it? If
you have the symptoms of TB immediately go to see your GP.
What do I do if I think I have it? See your
GP
Additional information can be found on the
NHS UK website