In the Victorian era, TB killed around one in seven people in England, and while great progress has been made to curb the disease, it’s still here.
The latest data from the Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that there have been a total of 1,175 cases of TB across the country in the three months leading up to September 2023.
In comparison to the year prior, there were 1,121 cases of TB, which shows a rise in infection rates.
During the first quarter of 2023, London had the highest number of cases of any region in England, standing at 426.
That works out about one in every 21,000 people in the capital being infected with TB.
You can see how many cases of TB are in your area and the trend of cases across the decades using Express.co.uk’s online tool.
Dr Esther Robinson, Head of the TB Unit at UKHSA, commented on the condition.
Dr Robinson said: “Despite significant progress towards elimination in recent years, the disease remains a serious public health issue in the UK.”
While TB is curable, it’s essential that diagnosis and treatment are done promptly for a successful recovery and to reduce the risk of transmission.
Dr Robinson added: “It is very important that those with relevant symptoms are tested for TB.”
The NHS listed symptoms of BT as:
- 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 haven’t gone away after a few weeks.
Dr Robinson said: “As we head into winter, it is important to remember that not every persistent cough, along with a 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.”
Dr Robinson pointed out that TB develops very slowly, and it can take weeks, months or years before you notice that you’re unwell.
“Contact your GP if you think you could be at risk so you can get tested and treated,” Dr Robinson advised.
The main treatment for TB is a six-month course of antibiotics, which may or may not require additional steroid medication.
The NHS emphasises the importance of finishing a course of antibiotics, even when you feel better.
If treatment is stopped early, even though you feel better, TB could return.