World TB Day 2009

Tuesday 24 March was World Tuberculosis Day. TB is an airborne disease that can affect anyone but is more likely to affect people whose immunity is already low. Almost every case of TB can be cured but it is still one of the top three killer diseases worldwide.

The Whittington had a stand at the Nags Head in Islington led by Whittington TB nurse specialist Molly Mamdani and her team, reminding the public of how easily curable tuberculosis is if the symptoms are recognised, investigated and treated promptly.

You may have TB if you have:

A cough that lasts for more than three weeks
Loss of weight for no obvious reason
Fever and heavy night sweats
A general and unusual sense of tiredness and being unwell
A loss of appetite
Coughing up blood

If you have any of these symptoms or think that you may have TB, react and have this checked and treated. Don’t be afraid to ask your GP ‘Could it be TB?’

For more information on TB and the work that is being done to support those with the infection and further their treatment, go to http://www.tbalert.org/about/about.php and http://www.stoptb.org/events/world_tb_day

Last updated22 Mar 2009