TB

Cases of Tuberculosis (TB) in Greenwich are among the highest in South East London. So it’s important to know how to prevent it.

What is TB?

It is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs, although it can harm any part of the body, including the bones and nervous system. See the symptoms of TB.

Although you can become very ill, you can cure the infection by finishing a course of antibiotics.

How is it passed on?

You can catch the infection if you inhale tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of someone with TB.

How to prevent Tuberculosis

You can avoid it by having the BCG vaccination. Children and adults under the age of 35 who might be at risk of catching the infection can have this free on the NHS.

Latent Tuberculosis

In Greenwich, tests are available for latent Tuberculosis, which is a sleeping form not picked up by chest x-rays. So if you get a test early, it means that you can get an offer for treatment before any serious symptoms develop.

If you experience any symptoms of TB, go and see a doctor and ask to be tested.

To find out more information about Tuberculosis, please visit NHS Choices or The Truth About TB.

TB promotional resources

If you work in primary care, universities, colleges, community venues or pharmacies there are some useful Greenwich TB resources available to download here.