Use this link to find a wealth of information on Tuberculosis
- Find generic information on the tuberculosis causes including where it’s commonly found, and its health danger rating.
- Advice on symptoms of Tuberculosis, what the warning signs are and how they should be examined.
- Find tips on Tuberculosis prevention as well as Tuberculosis treatment whilst travelling. Access further information on how to prepare before you travel and how seriously to take this illness whilst making a trip.
- Click here for information on the Tuberculosis vaccine
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is an infection caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It usually enters the lungs and may then spread to other organs, causing damaging nodules as it progresses.
Tuberculosis causes 1.7 billion infections and 2 million deaths worldwide, mainly in the developing world and particularly where there is a high rate of HIV/AIDS.
What does it do?
There are lots of different types of tuberculosis, and the disease can affect a variety of different parts of the body.
In primary tuberculosis, the lungs are first affected, with an area of lung first developing an infection within 4 weeks of bacteria entering the body. Large lymph nodes can develop around the infection site which can at times block off circulation to the lungs. Often there are few symptoms.
In post-primary tuberculosis the original primary tuberculosis is reactivated, which can cause weight loss, night sweats, fever and coughing up blood. Post-primary tuberculosis can affect many parts of the body including the spine, joints, genito- urinary tract and lining of the brain.
In miliary tuberculosis, the infection can spread all over the body, damaging a wide variety of organs.
In the developing world 25-30% of people who develop tuberculosis will die. Even in the UK mortality is around 5%.
Where is it?
The highest rates of tuberculosis are in Asia, in countries such as India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh. However, sub-Saharan Africa and the former Soviet Union are catching up fast. The disease tends to exist wherever there are high rates of HIV, with increasing numbers of cases in southern Africa.
In developed countries tuberculosis is normally restricted to the socially disadvantaged, such as immigrant groups, drug misusers and the homeless.
Can it be treated?
Treatment is prolonged but usually successful, using combinations of drugs to prevent resistance. Cure depends on taking the right drugs at the right dose for the right length of time. Failure to complete courses of treatment can lead to drug resistance. Around 10% of cases of tuberculosis are multi-drug resistant.
Can it be prevented?
BCG vaccination can be helpful in children. It prevents the more life-threatening miliary tuberculosis and TB meningitis and is particularly effective in those under the age of 35. It is less effective at preventing primary or post primary tuberculosis.
In travellers BCG should be offered to those who are going to high-risk areas (with rates above 40/100,000 population), who are going to be staying overseas long-term or who are likely to be in close contact with the local population.
Tuberculosis and travelling
There are no recorded cases where tuberculosis has been transmitted during air travel but nevertheless WHO guidelines state people with TB should not undergo long-haul journeys and those with multi-drug resistant TB should not fly at all.
