Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Search netdoctor
Home
Site map Follow us on Facebook Follow us on twitter Diseases and conditions Accidents and first aid Aches and pains ADHD Allergy and asthma Brain and nervous system Cancer Depression Diabetes Digestive health Ear, nose and throat Erectile dysfunction Eyes Heart and blood Infections Liver, kidney and urinary system Lungs Mouth and teeth Pregnancy and family Skin and hair Healthy living Beauty Children's health Complementary health Diet and nutrition Men's health Parenting Recipes Seniors' health Sex and relationships Smoking, alcohol and drugs Sports and fitness Teenage health Travel health Wellbeing Women's health
Health A-Zs Diseases and conditions A - Z Examinations and tests A - Z Medicines A - Z Support groups A - Z Surgical and cosmetic procedures A - Z Videos A - Z Health services Ask the doctor Competitions and offers Discussion forums Get a quote for private treatment Health services guide News News - behind the headlines Newsletters Online doctor service Pregnancy email service StayQuit - 90-day stop smoking programme Test yourself Weight loss programme LOGIN BECOME A MEMBER Travel health Travel health facts First-aid kit for travelling abroad Heatstroke Holiday preparation Prevention of malaria Africa Asia Australasia Caribbean Central America Europe Middle East North America South America
Country guide
Medicines Medicines for travel problems Discussion Travel health Ask the doctor News Latest travel health news Advertisement Home / Travel health / Travel health facts Confused about travel vaccines How soon can a baby travel after being born? I am terrified of flying Taking aspirin to avoid DVT Department of Health Fit For Travel MASTA National Travel Health Network and Centre
Support groups
Tuberculosis
Reviewed by Dr Gavin Petrie, consultant respiratory physician
What is tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by an infection with the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. During the 19th century, up to 25 per cent of deaths in Europe were caused by this disease. The death toll began to fall as living standards improved at the start of the 20th century, and from the 1940s, effective medicines were developed. However, there are now more people in the world with TB than there were in 1950, and 3 million individuals will die this year from this disease - mainly in less developed countries. The disease is more common in areas of the world where poverty, malnutrition, poor general health and social disruption are present. In the UK, too, the number of TB cases is again rising. Alcoholics, HIV-positive individuals, some recent immigrants and healthcare workers are at increased risk. The disease is most commonly found in places such as hostels for the homeless, prisons, and centres for immigrants arriving from areas with high rates of HIV infection or inadequate health provision.
pleura (the covering of the lungs), in the bones, the urinary tract and sexual organs, the intestines and even in the skin. Lymph nodes in the lung root and on the throat can also get infected. Tuberculous meningitis is sometimes seen in newly infected children. This form of the disease is a life-threatening condition.
physician suspects there is something wrong and that it is not just a cold, you may be referred to an outpatient department for people with lung diseases or to an X-ray department. The chest X-ray examination is the most important test. If there are changes in the lungs, a sample of sputum will be sent for microscopic examination and culture. Culture of tuberculosis bacteria will take 4 to 12 weeks. For this reason, it takes some time before an accurate diagnosis is possible. Quicker methods using DNA techniques are under development, and a skin reaction Mantoux Test can sometimes be a great help. In this test, Tuberculin, which is a substance extracted from the tubercle bacteria, is injected into the skin. If the skin shows a strong reaction after 72 hours, it means there is hypersensitivity to tuberculin protein acquired either by a previous BCG vaccination, or possibly due to an active infection.
Single medicines must never be added to a failing treatment regime. Therapy should be directed by a chest physician who will have specialist knowledge of the complications and side effects of TB medicines. Attention to the details of treatment are vital. The main cause of treatment failure is non-compliance with what is perceived as a demanding and prolonged programme of therapy. Those patients who are microscopy or smear positive are infectious and, if possible, should avoid contact with other people for two weeks. Patients do not require hospital admission in order to start treatment. Other patients with a lower bacterial load are smear negative but culture positive on testing. These patients are not as infectious but should still have therapy along conventional lines. Chemoprophylaxis with a single medicine, isoniazid, may be given for 6 to 12 months with the aim of preventing future disease in individuals who show no evidence of disease, but have a strongly positive tuberculin skin test and no evidence of previous BCG vaccine to explain the positive skin test. Pregnant women with TB must be treated urgently as the disease may progress rapidly with high risk to both mother and baby.
Good advice
If you travel in countries where tuberculosis is a problem, get vaccinated and avoid socialising with people who have a persistent cough. Make sure that you eat well and enjoy plenty of sunlight and exercise. Seek medical attention if you develop a cough that persists for more than three weeks. Based on a text by Dr Gunnar Pallisgaard, consultant Last updated 21.09.2005
Advertisement NetDoctor back pain survey Lower back pain? Heat therapy could help you. Try a heat wrap for free with the NetDoctor back pain study. Health alerts from NetDoctor
Follow us on Twitter Daily newsletter Read all the latest health stories when you become a member and sign up to the newsletter. Latest travel health forum posts
Maleria tablets if travelling... 02-03-2011 15:12 by SAndrews81 Travel to South America - Vaccination... 17-11-2010 10:22 by Wenwen248 How am i supposed to get travel... 10-11-2010 05:35 by ryancleak injections... 05-11-2010 14:35 by onetel Vaccinations in South Africa... 07-10-2010 22:54 by Giddie From our partners StayQuit Sign up for your free programme. StayQuit looks at all aspects of your addiction. Online doctor service Get a quick and confidential online diagnosis from a registered, UK-based GP. LeDiet Do you want to achieve your desired weight without feeling like you're on a diet programme. Private health From getting a quote to finding a hospital or clinic, here is your guide to private healthcare. Competitions and offers Travel health news Experts urge travel websites to highlight malaria risks 18-01-2011 Holidaymakers urged to get relevant travel jabs 24-08-2010 Majority of malaria cases involve Brits visiting relatives 11-08-2010 Study sheds light on dengue fever 07-05-2010 Travellers offered new meningitis vaccine for first time 01-04-2010 Travel health features Before you travel Don't forget the essentials if you're counting down the weeks till you go. Use this list to protect your health abroad.
Beating jet lag Are you travelling long haul? Follow these tips to arrive refreshed. Sun sense For most people, lying in the sun is a major part of their holiday. Find out why your skin type is key to preventing sunburn. Holiday health From allergies to water tablets: what to pack in a first-aid travel kit. Malaria prevention Use our guide to find out if your destination means you'll be at risk of malaria, plus steps to take if you are. Baby odyssey Taking your little one overseas doesn't need to be a nightmare. Travel advice Foreign Office advice Stay safe: find the latest guidance on your destination at the Foreign Office.
Advertisement
Lungs Mouth and teeth Pregnancy and family Skin and hair
Healthy living
Beauty Children's health Complementary health Diet and nutrition Men's health Parenting Recipes Seniors' health Sex and relationships Smoking, alcohol and drugs Sports and fitness Teenage health Travel health Wellbeing Women's health
Health A-Zs
Diseases and conditions A - Z Examinations and tests A - Z Medicines A - Z Support groups A - Z Surgical and cosmetic procedures A - Z Videos A - Z
Health services
Ask the doctor Competitions and offers Discussion forums Get a quote for private treatment Health services guide News News - behind the headlines Newsletters Online doctor service Pregnancy email service
Weight loss programme About NetDoctor | Commercial opportunities | Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Contact us The materials in this web site are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor - for further information see our Terms and conditions. Copyright 1998-2010 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved NetDoctor.co.uk is a trademark