World Tuberculosis Day
Ahead of World TB Day taking place tomorrow, the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) is taking the opportunity to raise awareness of tuberculosis (TB) to help stop transmission of the disease, by encouraging early diagnosis and treatment.
TB is a disease that many believe is a disease of the past, but it still remains a public health problem worldwide.
In Britain about 7,000 people get TB each year, of which approximately 60–80* are from Northern Ireland.
Within the Western Trust area there are approximately 12 new cases each year.
The Trust provides specialist TB service with Specialist Nurses providing training and education on TB for health and social care staff and support staff and teams through the appropriate management of people with suspected TB.
The Specialist Nurses also have a role in reporting to the Public Health Agency when people have a positive diagnosis of TB.
Dr Martin Kelly, Consultant Respiratory Physician with the Western Trust said it was important people were aware of the symptoms of TB which include; persistent cough, night sweats and fever, weight loss or blood in your phlegm/spit.
He added: “TB can be curable and the sooner the condition is diagnosed the better outcome of treatment for patients.
“As many as nine million new cases of active TB and nearly two million deaths from TB are estimated to occur around the world every year, mostly in developing countries.
“TB is caused by bacteria which usually affects the lungs. It can be spread from person to person when someone who has TB sneezes or coughs, although prolonged and close contacted is needed to be at risk of infection.
“If people are concerned about their symptoms they should contact their GP and they will be referred to the Trust’s Specialist TB Nurse Service.”
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