Tuberculosis is on the rise in the UK – what is it and is it serious?

While still rare in the UK, cases have been increasing.

TB is still relatively rare in the UK (Alamy/PA)

A new blood test that could identify millions of people who unknowingly spread tuberculosis could be developed soon, scientists have said.

Researchers at the University of Southampton discovered a group of biological markers that are high among infectious patients – and the test could be a significant step in reducing the spread of the disease.

More than a million people a year die from tuberculosis (TB), making it the the world’s deadliest infectious disease, according to the World Health Organisation.

Thankfully, in the UK figures remain low. However, TB cases in the UK increased to around 5,000 in 2023, according to the UK Health Security Agency, and are expecting to continue to rise this year.

So, how do you catch TB, and what else do you need to know about the infectious disease?

What is TB?

Emma Rubach, head of health advice at the charity Asthma + Lung UK, says tuberculosis or TB is a bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs.

“Anyone can get tuberculosis, however, the people most at risk are those who have lived outside of the UK where TB rates are high. Countries where tuberculosis is more common include Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia.

“Only 5-10% of people who breathe in TB bacteria develop symptoms and they can become ill in weeks, months, or even years after exposure,” Rubach adds.

“There are two types of tuberculosis. Latent tuberculosis, which is when you have TB bacteria in your body, but because the body’s immune system controls the bacteria and stops it from growing, you don’t experience any symptoms and can’t pass the infection on to others. Then there is active tuberculosis, when the body’s immune system can’t control the TB bacteria and you develop an infection.”

How do you catch it?

“Most tuberculosis infections are airborne. You can contract it from bacteria coughed up by another person with the infection,” says Dr Colin Michie, associate dean for research and knowledge exchange at the University of Central Lancashire.

“There is a less common type of TB, Mycobacterium bovis, which is found in unpasteurised milk. Consuming this product can therefore put you at risk of contracting the infection, particularly if the cattle involved are not carefully screened.”

What are the symptoms and is it serious?

Tuberculosis is a serious infection, which can be fatal if not treated properly.

“The poet Keats, composer Chopin, and authors Bronte and Orwell are just some of the people throughout history who have died from tuberculosis,” notes Michie.

Rubach says some people may be more at risk of suffering serious symptoms, such as those with weak immune systems, malnourishment, diabetes, people who regularly smoke, drink or take drugs, as well as children under five.

“Active tuberculosis usually affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body,” says Rubach. “Symptoms include a cough that lasts more than three weeks, chest pain, weight loss, extreme tiredness, loss of appetite, a high temperature, swollen glands, headaches and body aches and pains.”

Asthma + Lung UK also advises people to call 999 or go to A&E if they have a stiff neck and severe headache, it hurts to look at bright lights, you’ve had a fit (seizure), or your behaviour changes –  for example, you become confused – and if you can’t move certain parts of your body. How do you treat it?Rubach says both latent and active TB need to be treated with antibiotics, to help kill off the bacteria. “For latent TB, treatment usually lasts between three to six months, and in active TB, for at least six months,” she adds. “If the TB is affecting the brain or spinal cord, the treatment may last for 12 months.”