We don’t mean to alarm you, but tuberculosis (aka TB) is on an upward trend in England and Wales right now. The number of cases went up in 2022, again in 2023 and new data shows even more people caught the disease in 2024.
Thought TB was just a Victorian problem? Well, yes, it was a lot more serious back then. It caused one in eight of all deaths in the UK at the time and London was supposedly the tuberculosis capital of Europe. It became less threatening over the 20th century thanks to better housing, nutrition, early detection and effective treatments.
But the disease is yet to be totally eliminated and since the pandemic, it’s been on the rise again. Stats from the UK Health Security Agency shows that there was a 13 percent increase in reported cases in England in 2024 (from 4,850 people in 2023 to 5,480). Cases in Wales also rose from 84 in 2023 to 95 in 2024. Experts expect the numbers to go up even more this year. The largest increases were seen in London and the West Midlands.
It might sound scary, but the infection is easily treated if it’s caught early enough. Here are all your tuberculosis questions answered.
What is tuberculosis?
The infection is caused by a bacterium known as mycobacterium tuberculosis and mostly affects the lungs, although it can also spread to other parts of your body, like your tummy, glands, bones or brain.
The good news is that for most healthy people, the immune system kills the bacteria and you have no symptoms.
What are the symptoms of TB?
The NHS says that the symptoms of TB can appear gradually. The main symptoms to look out for are:
- A cough that lasts more than three weeks
- Coughing up mucus or mucus with blood
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- High temperature or night sweats
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
Signs that it has spread to another part of your body include swollen glands, dark or cloudy pee, a headache, constipation or a rash.
Is tuberculosis contagious?
Tuberculosis in the throat or lungs is the most contagious type. It spreads via air droplets when people with the illness sneeze, cough or talk. However, it usually only spreads when you’ve had prolonged exposure to someone who’s been infected.
How do you treat it?
If you suspect you may have a case of tuberculosis, book a GP appointment right away. They’ll prescribe you a course antibiotics to treat it but it can be fatal if you ignore the symptoms for too long.
What are experts saying?
Dr Esther Robinson, head of the TB unit at UK Health Security Agency, said: ‘TB remains a serious public health issue in England.
‘The infection is preventable and curable. 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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