England Sees 11% Spike In Tuberculosis In 2023, Signs and Symptoms Of The Disease

england sees 11% spike in tuberculosis in 2023, signs and symptoms of the disease

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in its annual TB report stated that tuberculosis (TB) in England rose by 10.7% in 2023 compared to 2022 (4,850 compared to 4,380). This rise is also a signal of a rebound of TB cases to above the pre-COVID-19-pandemic cases.

Dr Esther Robinson, Head of the TB Unit at UKHSA, said, “TB is curable and preventable, but despite significant progress towards elimination in recent years, the disease remains a serious public health issue in the UK.

“With treatment, most people will make a full recovery. It is very important that those with relevant symptoms are tested for TB and appropriate treatment is started promptly, both for the individual and for the prevention of onward transmission.

“Tuberculosis develops slowly, and it may take several weeks, months or even years after you were infected before you notice you’re unwell. Contact your GP if you think you could be at risk so you can get tested and treated.”

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that affects the lungs. The disease is caused by a type of bacteria. Mayo Clinic says that TB can spread when a person with the illness coughs, sneezes or sings. This can put tiny droplets of the germ into the air. Another person can then breathe in the droplets, and the germs enter the lungs.

“Tuberculosis spreads easily where people gather in crowds or where people live in crowded conditions. People with HIV/AIDS and other people with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of catching tuberculosis than people with typical immune systems,” says Mayo Clinic.

The World Health Organisation says that about a quarter of the global population is estimated to have been infected with TB. Those who are infected but not (yet) ill with the disease cannot transmit it. TB disease is usually treated with antibiotics and can be fatal without treatment. “In certain countries, the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is given to babies or small children to prevent TB. The vaccine prevents TB outside of the lungs but not in the lungs.”

Symptoms of TB

You’ll see symptoms of the condition depending on the stage of the condition. Here are the symptoms of the condition at different stages.

Primary TB infection

• Low fever
• Tiredness
• Cough.

Latent TB infection

Mayo Clinic says there are no symptoms during latent TB infection.

Active TB disease

Symptoms at this stage usually begin gradually and worsen over a few weeks.

• Cough
• Coughing up blood or mucus
• Chest pain
• Pain with breathing or coughing
• Fever
• Chills
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Not wanting to eat
• Tiredness
• Not feeling well in general.

Active TB disease outside the lungs

Symptoms depend on what part of the body is infected. Common symptoms are:

• Fever
• Chills
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Not wanting to eat
• Tiredness
• Not feeling well in general
• Pain near the site of infection.

Common sites of active TB disease outside the lungs include are:

• Kidneys
• Liver
• Fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord
• Heart muscles
• Genitals
• Lymph nodes
• Bones and joints
• Skin
• Walls of blood vessels
• Voicebox, also called the larynx.