Experiences with
Tuberculosis (TB)

Check if you have tuberculosis (TB)

Symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) usually come on gradually.

Common symptoms include:

a cough that lasts more than 3 weeks – you may cough up mucus (phlegm) or mucus with blood in it
feeling tired or exhausted
a high temperature or night sweats
loss of appetite
weight loss
feeling generally unwell

Children may also have difficulty gaining weight or growing.

If TB has spread to another part of your body such as your glands (lymph nodes), bones or brain, you may also have other symptoms, including:

swollen glands
body aches and pains
swollen joints or ankles
tummy or pelvic pain
constipation
dark or cloudy pee
a headache
being sick
feeling confused
a stiff neck
a rash on the legs, face or other part of the body

Sometimes you can have TB in your body but have no symptoms. This is called latent TB.

If you have TB and you have symptoms, it's called active TB.

you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks
you're feeling tired or exhausted and you're not sure why
you have a high temperature or night sweats that do not go away
you often do not feel hungry
you keep losing weight without changing your diet or exercise routine
you've spent a lot of time with someone who has tuberculosis (TB) and has symptoms (for example, you live with someone who has it)

you're coughing up blood or mucus (phlegm) with blood in it

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

you have a stiff neck and a severe headache
it's painful to look at bright lights
you've had a seizure or fit
you've had a change in behaviour – such as sudden confusion
you have weakness or loss of movement in part of the body

These could be signs that tuberculosis (TB) has spread to your brain (meningitis).

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Tests to check for tuberculosis (TB)

If you have symptoms of tuberculosis (TB), tests you may have include:

an X-ray, ultrasound, echocardiogram or CT scan of your chest or the part of your body that may be affected
taking samples of your mucus (phlegm)
a biopsy to take a sample of tissue, cells or fluid from the affected area

If you have no symptoms but are at risk from TB (for example, you've been in close contact with someone who has TB) you may have a Mantoux test or blood tests to check if you have it.

A Mantoux test is a skin test where a small amount of liquid is injected under the skin in your arm. This liquid will cause a small reaction on your skin if you have TB.

Treatment for tuberculosis (TB)

The main treatment for tuberculosis (TB) is to take antibiotics for at least 6 months.

If TB has spread to your brain, spinal cord or the area around your heart, you may also need to take steroid medicine for a few weeks.

If you have TB but do not have symptoms (latent TB) you usually need to take antibiotics for 3 to 6 months.

It's important to take your antibiotics correctly and until you've completed the course, even if you feel better. If you stop your treatment early, TB could come back.

Causes of tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria. It can spread through close contact with people who have TB and have symptoms (active TB).

When someone with active TB coughs, they release small droplets containing the bacteria. You can catch TB if you regularly breathe in these droplets over a long period of time.

Some people have TB in their body but do not get ill or have any symptoms (latent TB). This type of TB cannot be spread to others, but it can turn into active TB in the future.

People who are more likely to get TB

Anyone can get TB, but some people are more likely to get it or get more seriously ill from it, including people who:

spend a lot of time with someone who has active TB, such as people living in the same house
were born in or lived in an area where TB is more common
have a weakened immune system, such as people with HIV, a kidney transplant or who are having certain treatment like chemotherapy
are under 5 years of age
live in overcrowded or unhealthy conditions, such as people who are homeless
regularly smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs
have had TB before and it was not treated properly

Tuberculosis (TB) vaccination

There is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) called the BCG vaccine.

It's recommended for some people who are at higher risk of catching TB or getting seriously ill from it, including:

babies who live in areas of the UK where TB is more common
babies and children who live with someone who has TB
babies and children who were born or lived in a country where TB is more common
babies and children whose parents or grandparents were born in a country where TB is more common
people aged 35 and under who are spending more than 3 months in a country where TB is more common
people at risk of getting TB through their work, such as healthcare workers who work with people who have TB

SymptomsCausesMedical treatmentsPrevention

Symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) include a cough, feeling tired, a high temperature, night sweats, loss of appetite and weight loss.

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria. It can spread through the coughs of people who have TB.

The main treatment for tuberculosis (TB) is to take antibiotics for at least 6 months.

There is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) that can help protect some people who are at higher risk of catching it or getting seriously ill from it.