Latent TB as a health priority in Reading 21st November 12-3pm

What is TB? An illness caused by bacteria Most commonly affects lungs but you can get TB in any part of the body Can cause serious illness that can result in death if untreated BUT… TB is treatable and curable

What are the symptoms of TB? Cough (3 weeks or more) Weight loss Fever Night sweats Extreme tiredness Loss of appetite Swollen glands Breathlessness Coughing up blood DO NO have to have them all

How is TB caught? Someone with TB in the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes  TB bacteria get into the air  Bacteria are breathed in by other people Prolonged close contact necessary (e.g. living together) TB is NOT spread by spitting or sharing objects such as cups/plates/sheesha pipes You are unlikely to get TB sitting next to a person with TB on a bus or a train

What about latent TB? If you breathe in TB bacteria, one of three things will happen: your body kills off the TB bacteria so they cannot harm you now or in the future the TB bacteria make you ill – this is called ‘active TB’ the TB bacteria remain asleep in your body – this is called ‘latent TB’ So you could have TB and feel completely fit and healthy!! BUT… (e.g. through illness, stress, poor housing or nutrition)

What about latent TB? Very few people who breathe in TB bacteria become ill straight away If you are in good health, your immune system is likely to remove all the TB bacteria that you breathe in. If it is unable to do this, it may be able to stop you from becoming ill by forcing the bacteria into a latent (sleeping) state The bacteria are still in your body, but they are not causing damage. However, latent TB bacteria can ‘wake up’ and become active in the future, making you ill. This can happen many years after you first breathe in TB bacteria. Latent TB bacteria are more likely to wake up if you experience lifestyle stresses or other illnesses that weaken your immune system. This is the cause of most cases of active TB in the UK Latent TB can be effectively treated with a 3 month course of antibiotics in most cases Around 1 in 10 people with latent TB will develop active TB Sometimes up to 6 months treatment

How is TB treated? Active TB – four or more medicines over at least six months Latent TB – one or two medicines over three to six months TB testing and treatment is free and does not affect your right to stay in UK

Can anyone get TB? Yes! (including Nelson Mandela, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ringo Starr, Florence Nightingale, Desmond Tutu…) Some things put you at higher risk… Poor housing conditions Poor nutrition Stress and ill health (e.g. diabetes, HIV) Drugs and alcohol Having links to areas of the world where TB is common, such as sub-Saharan Africa, Asia or Eastern Europe

Where is TB most common? Tuberculosis cases

How common is TB in England?

TB as a priority in Reading Remember that 1 in 10 of these people will get active TB and become unwell

TB as a priority in Reading

TB as a priority in Reading Across Berkshire, the majority of cases were born in India (n=416), Pakistan (n=247), UK (n=224) or Nepal (n=97). Few cases in Berkshire have social risk factors when compared to the rest of England (0.7-1.1% vs 3.3-3.4%)

What to do if you think you or someone you know might have TB If you think you might have TB symptoms you should visit your GP, who will refer you to see a TB nurse If you are very unwell – go to A&E Tests might include a chest x-ray, sputumn (spit) test and blood tests

Preventing TB Training Thursday 5th January 2017, Shenai Centre 75-77 London Rd Reading RG1 4QA 1-4.30pm Or Thursday 26th January 2017, Copthorne Hotel Slough SL1 2YE 1-4.30pm Email: l.dobraszczyk@nhs.net for application form. Tel:07899 023 369 Suitable for health professionals or public working with communities with a high incidence of TB in Reading or Slough

Any questions? www.tbalert.org www.thetruthabouttb.org http://www.thetruthabouttb.org/latent-tb/latent-tb-and-me/