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Urogenital tuberculosis — epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical features
NHS Alert Over Cough Infection That Can Spread To The Brain - Signs To Spot
11:04, 24 Mar 2025Updated 14:10, 24 Mar 2025
CDC explains how tuberculosis can be transmittedThe NHS has issued a warning over a slow-developing bacterial infection that usually starts with a cough. While the illness isn't generally as contagious as a common cold, it can be far more serious, potentially requiring antibiotics for at least six months.
"Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs," the health body stressed on X earlier this morning. "It can be treated with antibiotics but can be serious if not treated. Learn more about the symptoms and treatments of this condition."
As the NHS implies, TB is caused by the spread of bacteria. When someone with active TB coughs, sneezes or speaks, tiny germs are released into the air, which others may inhale.
TB symptoms typically come on gradually, often starting with a cough that lasts more than three weeks. This cough may contain mucus or phlegm with blood in it. High temperatures, exhaustion, and weight loss may accompany this, too, with the latter often associated with a lack of appetite.
Although TB commonly affects the lungs, it can spread to other body parts, including the lymph nodes, bones, or even the brain. If this occurs, you may then notice an array of other uncomfortable symptoms, including the following:
However, experts at the University of Edinburgh also saysome cases of TB are entirely symptomless. "Not everyone with TB is infectious," they wrote in a previous blog.
READ MORE: 'I cut one thing from my diet and now my weekly Aldi food shop is just £22'READ MORE: 'I was diagnosed with cancer after asking Chat GPT - I thought it was grief'"People with a TB infection that occurs outside the lungs (extrapulmonary TB) don't spread the infection. In most healthy people, the immune system is able to destroy the bacteria that cause TB.
"In some cases, the bacteria infect the body but don't cause any symptoms (latent TB), or the infection begins to cause symptoms within weeks, months or even years (active TB). Up to 10% of people with latent TB eventually develop active TB years after the initial infection."
Individuals with TB symptoms are encouraged to see a GP for further advice and examinations. These may involve mucus sampling, X-rays, CT scans, or tissue biopsies from the affected area.
Anyone may contract the illness, but it is more common among people who spend a lot of time around others with active TB or who live in an area where TB is more common. Regular smoking, drinking and having a weakened immune system can worsen your risk as well.
NHS guidance adds: "The main treatment for tuberculosis (TB) is to take antibiotics for at least six months. If TB has spread to your brain, spinal cord or the area around your heart, you may also need to take steroid medicine for a few weeks.
"If you have TB but do not have symptoms (latent TB), you usually need to take antibiotics for three to six months." It also stresses: "It's important to take your antibiotics correctly and until you've completed the course, even if you feel better. If you stop your treatment early, TB could come back."
For more information, head to the NHS website.
Symptoms Of 'world's Deadliest Infection' As Cases Rise Across Europe In 'disturbing Wake-up Call'
While it is very treatable these days, the 'world's deadliest infection' is one of those terrifying old diseases with a deadly history which we've never quite managed to get rid of.
Although the number of cases are low, with only a few thousand people being diagnosed with it in England each year, figures have risen back to levels comparative to before the coronavirus pandemic.
A report released yesterday (24 March) said that across Europe there was a 'disturbing wake-up call' in the worryingly high rate of tuberculosis (TB) cases among children in particular.
Treatment success rates are also below the 90 percent target the World Health Organisation (WHO) has set, and there are worries about 'the rise of drug-resistant TB' which has an even lower success rate when it comes to successful treatment.
When most people think of tuberculosis they'd think of it being a disease which primarily affects the lungs and would be correct in that thought, but it's a disease which can spread to other parts of the body and trigger other symptoms too.
One of the main symptoms of tuberculosis is a persistent cough, if it lasts for three weeks or more then see a doctor (Getty Stock Image)According to the NHS, symptoms for TB come on gradually and commonly include things such as a cough that lasts more than three weeks.
You may also cough up blood or mucus during bouts as well.
TB can also lead to high temperatures and night sweats, cause a loss of appetite and lead to unexplained weight loss.
Someone with the disease may also feel exhausted, and even if there are no glaring symptoms you may end up having a general sense of unwellness.
However, that's by no means the end of the list of potential symptoms from TB, as the disease can spread to other parts of your body including your bones, brain and lymph nodes.
This can produce a whole host of other symptoms in the body, including swollen glands, joints and ankles, or aches and pains across the body.
Some symptoms may be a sign that the TB has spread to your brain and resulted in meningitis, in which case you need to call 999 (Getty Stock Image)Pain in your belly or around the pelvic region is also among the possible symptoms if TB has spread, while at the other end of your body you may suffer from a headache or feelings of confusion.
Back down in your bowels you may feel constipated and your urine may come out either dark or cloudy.
Vomiting, a stiff neck and having a rash on your legs, face or other body parts is also a potential other symptom of TB that has spread.
The NHS also warns that in some cases tuberculosis can be in your body but not trigger symptoms, which is known as 'latent TB', whereas when symptoms are showing it's 'active TB'.
Its advice is to call if you've been having these symptoms, and if you're coughing up blood or mucus then you should ask for an urgent appointment.
If you've got a stiff neck and bad headache that makes bright lights painful to look at then it could be a sign that the TB has spread to your brain and led to meningitis, in which case you should be calling 999 and getting to A&E ASAP.
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