Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection that usually affects the lungs but can affect other parts of the body and is caused by bacteria.
It is treated with antibiotics but can be serious if not treated. Some people maybe eligible for a vaccine to help reduce the risk of developing TB.
TB cases are on the rise in the West Midlands. This page tells you what you need to know about TB, including what symptoms to look out for.
Symptoms of Tuberculosis
Symptoms of TB usually come on slowly over time.
Common symptoms include:
a cough that lasts more than 3 weeks – you may cough up mucus (phlegm) or mucus with blood in it.
feeling tired or exhausted
a high temperature or night sweats
loss of appetite
weight loss
feeling generally unwell
- night sweats
Children may also have difficulty gaining weight or growing.
TB can spread to another part of your body. These can include your glands (also known as your lymph nodes), bones, or brain. If this happens, you may also have other symptoms, such as:
swollen glands
body aches and pains
swollen joints or ankles
tummy or pelvic pain
constipation
dark or cloudy pee
a headache
being sick
feeling confused
a stiff neck
a rash on the legs, face, or other parts of the body
If you have TB and symptoms, this is active TB.
It can spread through close contact with people who have TB and have symptoms.
Sometimes, TB can be in your body, but you have no symptoms. This is latent TB.
Latent TB cannot be spread to others, but it can turn into active TB in the future.
Antibiotics are given to treat both active and latent TB.
Tests to check for tuberculosis
If you have symptoms of tuberculosis (TB), the tests you may have include:
an X-ray, ultrasound, echocardiogram, or CT scan of the part of your body that might be affected, such as your chest
taking samples of your mucus (phlegm)
a biopsy to take a sample of tissue, cells, or fluid from the affected area
- A TB blood test known as an IGRA may be taken
You may have a Mantoux or blood tests if you have no symptoms but are at risk from TB. An example of this could be if you’ve been in close contact with someone who has TB.
A Mantoux test is a skin test where a small amount of liquid is injected under the skin in your arm. This liquid will cause a small reaction on your skin if you have TB.
Treatment for tuberculosis
The main treatment for tuberculosis (TB) is to take antibiotics for at least 6 months.
You may also need to take steroid medicine if TB has spread to your brain, spinal cord, or around your heart.
If you have TB but do not have symptoms, you usually need to take antibiotics for 3 to 6 months.
It’s important to take your antibiotics in the right way and until you’ve completed the course, even if you feel better. If you stop your treatment early, TB could come back.
Your TB nurses will support you throughout your treatment.
If you feel you have symptoms of TB please contact your GP and ask to be referred to the TB service.
Tuberculosis Vaccination
There is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) called the BCG vaccine.
It’s recommended for people who are at higher risk of catching TB or getting seriously ill from it, including:
babies who live in areas of the UK where TB is more common
babies and children who live with someone who has TB
babies and children who were born or lived in a country where TB is more common
babies and children whose parents or grandparents were born in a country where TB is more common
people aged 35 and under who are spending more than 3 months in a country where TB is more common
people at risk of getting TB through their work, such as healthcare workers who work with people who have TB
It is important to know that the BCG vaccine is not routinely given as part of the NHS vaccination schedule. You will only be offered the vaccine if you are eligible.
Find out more getting the BCG vaccine and if you are eligible on the NHS website.