‘Know your TB risk,’ local people are urged on World TB Day

People in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been urged to think about their risk of developing tuberculosis as the international heath community marks World TB Day (Friday 24 March).

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection spread through inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person.  It mainly affects the lungs, but it can affect any part of the body, including the abdomen, glands, bones and nervous system.

Although TB is a potentially serious condition, it is almost always curable if it’s treated with the right antibiotics.

A vaccination, called the BCG vaccine, is also available and is offered to people who are at risk of infection.  The BCG vaccine offers protection against TB, and is recommended on the NHS for babies, children and adults under the age of 35 who are considered to be at risk of catching TB.  At-risk groups include:

• Children living in areas with high rates of TB;
• People with close family members from countries with high TB rates;
• People going to live and work with local people for more than three months in an area with high rates of TB.

Areas of the world with high rates of TB include parts of sub-Saharan and west Africa, south Asia (including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), South America, Russia, China and the western Pacific (including Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines).

The BCG vaccine is not routinely given to anyone over the age of 35 as there’s no evidence that it works for people in this age group.

Dr Sarah Whiteman, Chief Medical Director at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said: “TB is an infection which can be extremely serious, but just one vaccination can protect those who are at risk of catching it.  There is an online list of at-risk groups on the NHS website, which can help you decide whether you need to come forward for vaccination.

“It will only take you a minute to check whether you or someone in your family needs to get vaccinated, so why not find out today on World TB Day?”

More information about TB can be found at www.nhs.uk/conditions/tuberculosis-tb.