Today (Monday March 24) marks World TB Day – a global awareness-raising day aiming to shine an important light on the infectious bacterial disease which remains a serious public health issue in England.
Last month, provisional annual data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed reported notifications of TB in England increased by 13 per cent compared to 2023 – continuing the upward trend seen over the last few years.
Leeds became a Fast Tract City in February 2023 which is a global partnership initiative where cities commit to reducing the transmission of TB along with HIV and viral hepatitis. Professionals in Leeds contribute to the local partnership and are supporting with raising awareness, reducing stigma and increasing occasions for opportunistic screening.
In Leeds, the city’s Community Healthcare Trust (LCH) TB service will be having a stall on the 26 March in the Jubilee wing of Leeds General Infirmary to raise awareness all about TB.
TB is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs but can affect other organs in the body and can cause serious health problems, particularly if not caught early. However, the illness is curable and testing and treatment are free and confidential in the UK, regardless of immigration status.
Signs and symptoms of active TB include:
- A cough that lasts three weeks of longer
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- High temperature or fever
- Night sweats
- Extreme tiredness or lack of energy
Anyone can get TB, but you are most at risk of TB if:
- You have come into contact with a person with infectious TB
- If you have come to the UK from a country where TB is common
- If you have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or medical treatment e.g. biological therapy or chemotherapy.
- If you are experiencing homelessness, drug and alcohol dependence and/or have had contact with the criminal justice system
If you are at risk of active TB, you may also be at risk of latent TB, where TB bacteria can live in your body without making you sick and without causing any symptoms. As with active TB, there is treatment available for latent TB to stop it from becoming active and making you and potentially others around you unwell.
If you’re worried about latent or active TB and think you could be at risk, don’t hesitate to talk to your GP.
Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, said: “Early diagnosis is vital in the fight against TB and key to a quick recovery. Not every persistent cough, along with fever, is caused by flu or Covid-19. A cough that usually has mucus and lasts longer than three weeks can be caused by a range of other issues including TB. It is really important that people living in Leeds know the symptoms to look for and speak to their GP.”
Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “TB is curable and preventable, but the disease remains a serious public health issue in England. We continue to work to improve the prevention and detection of TB but with TB rates increasing nationally, it is essential that the wider public have an awareness of TB, report symptoms of active TB to their GP and access latent TB testing if they are eligible.”
More information is available on the Leeds TB service website, including details on eligibility for latent TB screening: https://www.tbalert.org/
