Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria that can affect humans.

The disease most commonly affects the lungs but can affect other organs e.g. spine, abdomen, glands etc.

TB can either be active disease, where you are unwell and might have symptoms.

Or you could have latent TB infection, which is when your immune system has met the bacteria but you do not have any symptoms. This latent bacteria, could wake up and you could go on to develop active TB disease, especially if your immune system is weakened.

TB is spread when people with active TB disease have the bacteria in their lungs. When they cough, sneeze, talk, or breathe, the bacteria travel through the air in droplets which can be inhaled by others, leading to them become infected.

Symptoms of active TB disease, especially when it affects the lungs, include:

• A persistent cough, lasting more than 2–3 weeks (this could be productive or dry)

• Coughing up blood

• Chest pain, especially when breathing or coughing

• Unexplained weight loss

• Fever and drenching night sweats

• Fatigue and weakness

• Loss of appetite

• Swelling of the glands

People with latent TB infection won’t have any symptoms or be able to pass the bacteria to others. However, the bacteria remain in their body and could become active later. This means it is always worth testing someone who has potentially been exposed to the bacteria.

These symptoms are not definitive. Some people experience different symptoms. If you have a concern about TB exposure, a known TB contact or come from a country where there are higher rates of TB disease, it’s important to think TB!

If you have symptoms and are concerned contact your health provider.

Active TB disease is usually diagnosed through a combination of:

• Symptoms

• Radiological scans (Chest X-rays, CT scans etc.)

• Laboratory tests (e.g sputum testing)

TB disease can be difficult to get a definitive diagnosis, so the diagnosis pathway might differ.

Latent TB infection is usually diagnosed if:

• Someone is suspected of being a close contact with somebody with active TB disease, comes from a country with high rates of TB or other risk factors are identified.

• They have no symptoms.

• They have a normal radiological scan (Chest X-rays, CT scans etc.).

• They have a positive blood or skin test.

Track and trace programmes, such as contact tracing for TB disease, also play a vital role in identifying and supporting people who may have been exposed. This helps to prevent the spread of infection, protecting families, communities, and those at higher risk. Active TB can then be treated early or preventative treatment can be offered if someone has latent TB infection.

TB is treatable, curable, and TB treatment is free worldwide!

Active TB disease treatment usually lasts for 6 months, with a course of oral antibiotics. Depending on where in the body the active disease is, treatment may last longer. For example up to 12 months for spinal TB disease.

For the majority of the time, TB treatment can be managed as an outpatient, so you wouldn’t need to be admitted to hospital unless you were extremely unwell.

Your medical care team or TB nurses would support you through your treatment journey, explaining medications and side effects with you.

It is important to take TB medications every day and complete the course of treatment as prescribed, even if symptoms improve early. This is to reduce the risk of bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotic drugs.

Drug-resistant TB requires longer, more complex treatment, which often involves more medications, more adverse, longer term side effects, and poorer outcomes.

• It helps prevent serious health complications from the bacteria and the effect on the lungs and other organs.

• Reduces the risk of spreading TB to others

• Improves outcomes and reduces treatment duration in some cases

What is MDR-TB?

MDR-TB stands for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

It is a type of TB that doesn’t respond to the two main TB medicines Isoniazid and Rifampicin.

This makes it much harder to treat than regular TB, and treatment takes longer, often with more side effects.

What is XDR-TB?

XDR-TB stands for Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis.
It’s a rare but an even more serious form of drug-resistant TB. XDR-TB is resistant to:

• Isoniazid and Rifampicin (the two main TB drugs)

• Any fluoroquinolone (a second-line antibiotic)

• At least one additional second-line injectable drug

This makes XDR-TB extremely difficult to treat and requires highly specialised care.

Is MDR/XDR-TB curable?

Yes, but it requires longer and more complex treatment, often involving different medications over 12–24 months. Early diagnosis and expert care are essential for better outcomes.

Most often, it happens when TB treatment isn’t completed. For example, if someone stops taking their medication too early or doesn’t take it regularly.

It can also be transmitted directly from another person who has drug-resistant TB.

Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR‑TB) is a form of TB that doesn’t respond to the most effective first-line medicines. It’s harder to treat, requires longer treatment with more side effects, and has lower treatment success rates.

In 2023, only about 40% of people with drug-resistant TB received the treatment they needed. This is a risk to communities where a potentially difficult to treat infection could spread.

Yes!

TB remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world.
In 2023, it caused an estimated 1.25 million deaths, surpassing even COVID‑19 as the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent.

Who is most affected by TB?

TB is strongly linked with poverty and vulnerable groups. It disproportionately affects people who are:

• Living in overcrowded or poorly ventilated housing

• Experiencing malnutrition or homelessness

• Living with HIV/AIDS

• In contact with health systems that are under-resourced

These factors make TB not just a medical issue, but also a social justice issue!

TB can affect anyone, and cases still occur in the UK.

Many people with TB have lived, worked, or travelled in countries where TB is more common.

Supporting access to diagnosis and treatment protects individuals, families, and the wider communities, no matter where someone was born.

TB is an infectious disease that spreads through the air. If even one person goes untreated, they can unknowingly infect others. In a community, everyone’s health is connected.

Excluding people from care doesn't just put them at risk, it puts public health at risk too! The NHS provides free TB diagnosis and treatment to everyone, regardless of immigration status, because controlling TB is a national health priority.

Tackling it effectively means ensuring everyone has access to care.

No one should be afraid to seek care!

Yes!

In the UK, TB diagnosis and treatment are free of charge for everyone, regardless of immigration or residency status. This helps to protect everyone in the community. Diagnosing and treating people earlier helps to limit the spread and protect those most vulnerable without socio-economic barriers.