Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis (TB) | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Infections and poisoning Tuberculosis (TB) Tuberculosis (TB) Audio | British Sign Language (BSL) About tuberculosis Symptoms of tuberculosis Causes of tuberculosis Diagnosing tuberculosis Treating tuberculosis About tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection spread through inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person. It is a seriouscondition, but can be cured with proper treatment. TB mainly affects the lungs. However, it can affect any part of the body, including the glands, bones and nervous system. Symptoms of TB Typical symptoms of TB include: a persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks and usually brings up phlegm, which may be bloody weight loss night sweats high temperature (fever) tiredness and fatigue loss of appetite new swellings that havent gone away after a few weeks You should see a GP if you have a cough that lastsmore than three weeks or if you cough up blood. Read more about the symptoms of TB and diagnosing TB What causes TB? TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB that affects the lungs is the most contagious type, but itusually only spreads afterprolonged exposure to someone with the illness. For example,it often spreads within a family who live in the same house. In most healthy people, the immune system (the bodys natural defence against infection and illness) kills the bacteria, and you have no symptoms. Sometimesthe immune system cannot kill the bacteria, but manages to prevent it spreading in the body. This means you will not have any symptoms, but the bacteria will remain in your body. This is known as latent TB. Ifthe immune system fails to kill or contain the infection, it can spread within the lungs or other parts of the body and symptoms will develop within a few weeks or months. This is known as active TB. Latent TB could develop into an active TB infection at a later date, particularly if your immune system becomes weakened. Read more about the causes of TB Who is affected? Before antibiotics were introduced, TB was a major health problem in the UK. Nowadays, the condition is much less common. However, in the last 20 years, TB cases have gradually increased, particularly among ethnic minority communities who are originally from countries where TB is more common. Its estimated that around one-third of the worlds population is infected with latent TB. Of these, up to 10% will become active at some point. How TB is treated With treatment, TB can usually be cured. Most people will need a course of antibiotics, usually for 6 months. Several different antibiotics are used. This is because some forms of TB are resistant to certain antibiotics. If you are infected with a drug-resistant form of TB, treatment with 6 or more different medications may be needed. If you are in close contact with someone who has TB, tests may be carried out to see if you are also infected. These can include a chest X-ray , blood tests , and a skin test called the Mantoux test. Read more about treating TB Tuberculosis vaccination The BCGvaccine canprovide effective protection against TB in up to8 out of 10peoplewho are given it. Currently, BCG vaccinations are only recommended for groups of people who are at a higher risk of developing TB. This includes children living in areas with high rates of TB, or those who have close family members from countries with high TB rates, andpeople under the age of 16who are going to live and work with local people in an area with high rates of TBfor more than three months. Its also recommended that some people, such as healthcare workers, are vaccinatedbecause ofthe increased risk of contracting TB while working. Symptoms of tuberculosis The symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) depend on where the infection occurs. TB usually develops slowly. Your symptoms might not begin until months or even years after you were initially infected. In some cases the infection doesnt cause any symptoms, which is known as latent TB. Its called active TB if you have symptoms.You should contact your GP if you or your child have symptoms of TB. Read about the causes of tuberculosis for more information about latent and active TB. Main symptoms General symptoms of TB include: lack of appetite and weight loss a high temperature (fever) night sweats extreme tiredness or fatigue These symptoms can have many different causes, however, and are not always a sign of TB. Additional symptoms TB can also cause additional symptoms depending on which part of the body is infected. Pulmonary TB Most infections affect the lungs, which can cause: a persistent cough that lasts more than 3 weeks and usually brings up phlegm, which may be bloody breathlessness that gradually gets worse This is known as pulmonary TB. Extrapulmonary TB Less commonly, TB infections develop in areas outside the lungs, such as the lymph nodes (small glands that form part of the immune system), the bones and joints, the digestive system, the bladder and reproductive system, and thenervous system (brain and nerves). This is known as extrapulmonary TB. Symptoms of extrapulmonary TB vary, but can include: persistently swollen glands abdominal (tummy) pain pain and loss of movement in an affected bone or joint confusion a persistent headache seizures (fits) Extrapulmonary TB is more common in people with a weakened immune system, such as those with HIV . Causes of tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a type of bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The condition is spread when a person with an active TB infection in their lungs coughs or sneezes and someone else inhales the expelled droplets, whichcontain TB bacteria. Although it is spread in a similar way to a cold or the flu , TB is not as contagious. You would usually have to spend prolonged periods in close contact with an infected person to catch the infection yourself. For example, TB infections usually spread between family members who live in the same house. It would be highly unlikely to become infected by sitting next to an infected person on a bus or train. Not everyone with TB is infectious. Generally, children with TB or people with TB that occurs outside the lungs (extrapulmonary TB) do not spread the infection. Latent or active TB In most healthy people the immune system is able to destroy the bacteria that cause TB. However, in some cases the bacteria infect the body but dont cause any symptoms (latent TB), or the infection begins to cause symptoms within weeks or months (active TB). Up to 10% of people with latent TB eventually develop active TB years after the initial infection. This usually happens when the immune system is weakenedfor example, during chemotherapy . Whos most at risk? Anyone can catch TB, but people particularly at risk include those: who live in, come from, or have spent time in a country or area with high levels of TB  around 3 in every 4 TB cases in the UK affect people born outside the UK in prolonged close contact with someone who is infected living in crowded conditions with a condition that weakens their immune system, such as HIV having treatments that weaken the immune system, such as corticosteroids , chemotherapy or tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (used to treat some types of arthritis and certain gut conditions) who are very young or very old  the immune systems of people who are young or elderly tend to be weaker than those of healthy adults in poor health or with a poor diet because of lifestyle and other problems, such as drug misuse, alcohol misuse , or homelessness Diagnosing tuberculosis Several tests are used to diagnose tuberculosis (TB), depending on the type of TB suspected. Your GP may refer you to a TB specialist for testing and treatment if they think you have TB. Pulmonary TB A diagnosis of pulmonary TB (TB that affects the lungs) can be difficult and several tests are usually needed. This will include a chest X-ray to look for changes in the appearance of your lungs that are suggestive of TB. Samples of phlegm will also often be taken and checked for the presence of TB bacteria. These tests are important in helping todecide onthe most effective treatment for you. Extrapulmonary TB If you have suspected extrapulmonary TB (TB that occurs outside the lungs), several tests can be used to confirm a diagnosis. These may include: a computerised tomography (CT) scan , magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan , or ultrasound scan of the affected part of the body examining the inside of your body with along, thin, flexible tube that contains a light and camera, which is inserted either through an opening such as your mouth (endoscopy) or a small cut made in your skin (laparoscopy) urine and blood tests a biopsy  a small sample of tissue or fluid is taken from the affected area and tested for TB bacteria You may also have a lumbar puncture. This involves taking a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the base of your spine. CSF isfluid that surrounds the brain. It can be checked to see whether TB has infected your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Screening for latent TB In some circumstances, you may need to be tested to check for latent TB (when you have been infected with TB bacteria, but do not have any symptoms). For example, you may need to be screened if you have been in close contact with someone known to have an active TB infection (an infection that causes symptoms), or if you have recently spent time in a country where TB levels are high. If you have just moved to the UK from a country where TB is common, you may be screened when you arrive or your GP may suggest screening when you register as a patient. Mantoux test The Mantoux test is a widely used test for latent TB. It involves injecting a substance called PPD tuberculin into the skin of your forearm. Its also called the tuberculin skin test (TST). If you have a latent TB infection, your skin will be sensitive to PPD tuberculin and a hard red bump will develop at the site of the injection, usually within 48 to 72 hours of having the test. If you have a very strong skin reaction, you may need a chest X-ray to confirm whether you have an active TB infection. If you do not have a latent infection, your skin will not react to the Mantoux test. However, as TB can take a long time to develop, you may need to be screened again at a later stage. If you have had the BCG vaccination, you may have a mild skin reaction to the Mantoux test. This does not necessarily mean you have latent TB. Interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) The IGRA is a newer type of blood test for TB that is becoming more widely available. The IGRA may be used to help diagnose latent TB: if you have a positive Mantoux test if you previously had the BCG vaccination (as the Mantoux test may not be reliable in these cases) as part of your TB screening if you have just moved to the UK from a country where TB is common as part of a health check when you register with a GP if you are about to have treatment that will suppress your immune system if you are a healthcare worker Treating tuberculosis Treatment for tuberculosis (TB) will usually involve a long course of antibiotics lasting several months. While TB is a serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated, deaths are rare if treatment is completed. For most people, a hospital admission during treatment is not necessary. Pulmonary TB If youre diagnosed with active pulmonary TB (TB that affects your lungs and causes symptoms), you will be given a 6-month course of a combination of antibiotics. The usual course of treatment is: 2 antibiotics (isoniazid and rifampicin) for 6 months 2 additional antibiotics (pyrazinamide and ethambutol) for the first 2 months It may be several weeks or months before you start to feel better. The exact length of time will depend on your overall health and the severity of your TB. After taking the medicine for 2 weeks, most people are no longer infectious and feel better. However, it isimportant to continue taking your medicine exactly as prescribed and to complete the whole course of antibiotics. Taking medication for 6 months is the most effective method of ensuring the TB bacteria are killed. If you stop taking your antibiotics before you complete the course, oryou skip a dose, the TB infection may become resistant to the antibiotics. This is potentially serious, as it can be difficult to treat and will require a longer course of treatment. If you find it difficult to take your medication every day, your treatment team can work with you to find a solution. This may include having regular contact with your treatment team at home, the treatment clinic, or somewhere else that is more convenient. Iftreatment is completed correctly, you should not need any further checks by a TB specialist afterwards. However, you may be given advice about spotting signs that the illness has returned, although this is rare. Inrare cases TB can be fatal, even with treatment. Death can occur if the lungs become too damaged to work properly. Extrapulmonary TB Extrapulmonary TB (TB that occurs outside the lungs) can be treated using the same combination of antibiotics as those used to treat pulmonary TB. However, you may need to take them for 12 months. If you have TB in areas such as your brain or the sac surrounding your heart (pericardium), you may initially be prescribed a corticosteroid such as prednisolone for several weeks to take at the same time as your antibiotics. This will help to reduce any swelling in the affected areas. As with pulmonary TB, its important to take your medicines exactly as prescribed and to finish the whole course. Latent TB Latent TB is when you have been infected with the TB bacteria, but do not have any symptoms of active disease. Treatment for latent TB is usually recommended for anyone aged 65 or under. However, the antibiotics used to treat TB can cause liver damage in older adults, so treatment for people with latent TB aged 35 to 65 isnt recommended if this is a concern. Latent TB is also not always treated if its thought to be drug-resistant. If this is the case, you may be regularly monitored to check the infection does not become active. In some cases, testing and treatment for latent TB may be recommended for people who require treatment that will weaken their immune system, such as long-term corticosteroids, chemotherapy or TNF inhibitors. This is because there is a risk of the infection becoming active. Treatment for latent TB generally involves either taking a combination of rifampicin and isoniazid for 3 months, or isoniazid on its own for 6 months. Side effects of treatment Isoniazid can cause nerve damage ( peripheral neuropathy ), but youll be given supplements ofvitamin B6 (pyridoxine) to take alongside it to reduce this risk. Your liver function may be tested before you start treatment. In rare cases, the antibiotics used to treat TB can cause eye damage, which can be serious. If you are going to be treated with ethambutol, your vision should also be tested at the beginning of the course of treatment. Contact your TB treatment team if you develop any worrying symptoms during treatment, such as: being sick yellowing of your skin and whites of your eyes (jaundice) an unexplained high temperature (fever) tingling or numbness in your hands or feet a rash or itchy skin changes to your vision, such as blurred vision Rifampicin can reduce the effectiveness ofsome types of contraception, such as the combinedcontraceptive pill . Use an alternative method of contraception, such as condoms , while taking rifampicin. Preventing the spread of infection If you are diagnosed with pulmonary TB,you will be contagious up to about 2 to 3 weeks into your course of treatment. You will not normally need to be isolated during this time, but its important to take some basic precautions to stop TB spreading to your family and friends. You should: stay away from work, school or college until your TB treatment team advises you it is safe to return always cover your mouthpreferably with a disposable tissue when coughing, sneezing or laughing carefully dispose of any used tissues in a sealed plastic bag open windows when possible to ensure a good supply of fresh air in the areas where you spend time do not sleep in the same room as other people, as you could cough or sneeze in your sleep without realising it Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 04 December 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. 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