Tuberculosis

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

TB is an infection caused by bacteria. It mainly affects the lungs, but it can affect any part of the body, including lymph nodes (glands), bones, and the brain causing meningitis. TB spreads through the air when a person with active TB coughs or sneezes.

Who is at risk of getting TB?

Anyone can get TB, but you are most at risk if:

• You have come into contact with a person with infectious TB
• If you have come to the UK from a country where TB is common
• If you have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or medical treatment
• If you are experiencing homelessness, drug and alcohol dependence and/or have had contact with the criminal justice system.

For people experiencing homelessness, the risk of TB transmission is higher due to several factors: 

• Crowded living environments, for example encampments and night shelters increase close and prolonged contact, making airborne spread more likely
• Poor ventilation in temporary housing can allow the TB bacteria to remain in the air longer
• Limited access to healthcare can delay diagnosis and treatment, increasing the time someone may be infectious.

What are the key signs and symptoms of TB? 

• A cough that lasts more than 3 weeks - you may cough up mucus (phlegm) or mucus with blood in it
• High temperature
• Heavy sweating at night
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• General and unusual sense of tiredness and being unwell

What is the treatment for TB?

TB is curable if it's diagnosed early and treated promptly with the right combination of specific antibiotics and if the person completes a full course of treatment. The minimum length of treatment for non–drug resistant TB is six months and much longer if treating a person with drug-resistant TB.

It is vitally important to complete the whole course of antibiotics. If you do not, TB may return in a form that is resistant to the usual drugs and much more difficult to treat.

How can homelessness services support those who may be affected? 

• Spot the signs and symptoms of TB in people accessing services
• Ensure people accessing services are registered with a GP
• Support the treatment for those with TB: ensure people have the support to take their medication.
• Increase TB awareness within the service
• Reduce risk: this could involve TB screening being available, contact tracing, and support to improve ventilation within services
• Develop partnership work: speak with your local Infectious Disease Unit or TB Clinic to see whether they could do a drop in at your service.