Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis, which is also known as TB is a serious infection that affects the lungs and sometimes other parts of the body, such as the brain, bones, joints and kidneys.
In young people and adults it usually affects the lungs, but can also affect the lymph glands, brain, joints, kidneys and bones. Most people in the UK recover fully after treatment, but this usually takes several months.
Human tuberculosis (TB) is caused by infection with bacteria of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum or M.microti) and may affect almost any part of the body, the most common form is pulmonary TB.
For more information about TB visit the World Health Organization website or the TB Alert website.
Symptoms of tuberculosis
The symptoms of TB are varied and depend on the site of infection. General symptoms may include:
- fever
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- night sweats and
- fatigue
Pulmonary TB typically causes a persistent productive cough, which may be accompanied by blood streaked sputum or, more rarely, frank haemoptysis. Untreated, TB in most otherwise healthy adults is a slowly progressive disease that may eventually be fatal.
TB rates have been declining in Wales since 2009. Despite this, the disease remains a concern. Whilst total cases declined, the proportion of cases which are UK-born increased. These cases are often from populations reporting high levels of social risk factors such as homelessness, prison or drug use.
Learn more
If you would like to learn more about the vaccine or the diseases it protects against, a number of information resources are available to help.
You can also call NHS 111 or your GP practice for advice if you have any questions. Calls to NHS 111 Wales are free from landlines and mobile phones.
Further information
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