Tuberculosis cases on the rise in UK: warning it could be mistaken for common cold

Sly Saint · Dec 5, 2024

Tuberculosis, a serious lung infection also called the 'Victorian disease' that kills one in six people it infects and can cause victims to cough up blood, is on the rise in England.

Official data shows cases increased 11 per cent by the end of last year reaching 5,000, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) report.

It means that roughly one in every 25,000 people in England has the infection, though this rises to almost one in every 5,000 people in London.

Four out of five of new cases were among people born outside the UK, the highest proportion since 2000.

People originally from India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Romania were biggest non-British born groups among tuberculosis (TB) patients.

Health chiefs are now urging people with potential TB symptoms not to dismiss the signs, which include a continuous cough, and can be easily mistaken for common winter infections such as a cold or flu.

Their warning comes as separate NHS data shows a 350 per cent surge in flu cases in hospitals in England.

Dr Esther Robinson, the head of UKHSA's TB unit, urged people not to dismiss potential TB symptoms, especially if they were a recent arrival to Britain.

'TB is curable and preventable, but the disease remains a serious public health issue in England,' she said.

'If you have moved to England from a country where TB is more common, please be aware of the symptoms of TB so you can get promptly tested and treated through your GP surgery.'

'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 3 weeks can be caused by a range of other issues, including TB. Please speak to your GP if you think you could be at risk.'
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Warning of 'Victorian disease easily mistaken for a winter cold

rvallee · Dec 5, 2024

Gee, I can't imagine why people would have this idea that a serious respiratory illness could be just a cold.

Certainly can't think of where they could have gotten this idea.

A total mystery we will never solve, for sure.

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Tuberculosis cases on the rise in UK: warning it could be mistaken for common cold

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Tuberculosis cases on the rise in UK: warning it could be mistaken for common cold

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