Tuberculosis
Patient Information Leaflet
What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis or TB is a disease caused by bacteria that can affect any part of the body, often the lungs.
What are the symptoms?
In early disease there may be no symptoms. As the TB disease develops individuals may experience some or all of the following:

Cough, sometimes with sputum (spit) which can be blood stained

Loss of appetite
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Unexplained weight loss

Fever/sweating, especially at night

Tightness of the chest or chest pain

Shortness of breath

Sometimes lumps(swollen lymph nodes) in the neck
How is it diagnosed?
When Tuberculosis is suspected a range of investigations are undertaken. These may include taking samples of sputum (spit), a chest X-ray or occasionally a simple skin test on the forearm.
Is it infectious?
Some types of TB are infectious, mainly TB of the lung, so the infection could be passed on to someone else. Close contact over a long period of time, with someone who has the infectious type of TB is usually needed to pass on the disease.
Other types of TB that do not affect the lungs are not usually considered infectious.
How is it spread?
Tuberculosis is spread by a person suffering from the disease coughing the bacteria from their lungs into the air. Some of the bacteria may remain suspended in the air for a period of time particularly in an enclosed environment.
Another person may then breathe in these bacteria. The body’s defence mechanisms usually get rid of the bacteria before it can cause disease.
Updated June 2009

How is TB treated?
TB is treated with a combination of antibiotics which are usually all taken on an empty stomach every morning before breakfast. Your doctor will advise how and when to take the treatment in order to maximise effect and minimise any side effects.
How long do I take the treatment?
Usually about six months. TB can be cured if the tablets are taken regularly and without fail. Don’t forget to take them and to obtain further supplies from your
GP when required.
TB can return if you do not finish the course.
Are there any side effects from the treatment?
The tablets may colour your saliva, urine and tears orange-red. Soft contact lenses may become discoloured so don’t use them whilst on treatment.
The TB tablets can make some methods of contraception less reliable. Please seek advice from your GP, Family Planning Clinic or Pharmacist immediately.
If you develop any of the following symptoms you should let your doctor or TB
Nurse know immediately.

rash

sickness or bad diarrhoea

lose your appetite completely

jaundice (become yellow)

any eye problems

tingling and/or numbness of the fingers and toes
Tell the doctor if you think you are pregnant.
How often do I attend Chest Clinic?
You will be seen in the Chest Clinic on a regular basis so that the Chest
Physician can monitor your progress. Each time you attend you must take all your tablets with you, as the doctor may need to change them periodically.
Updated June 2009

Will I be seen at home?
The TB Nurse may visit you at home as required.
How long will I be infectious?
Once antibiotic treatment of TB is started infectious cases of TB become noninfectious very quickly, usually after 14 days of treatment. Therefore you should not go to work and it is best to avoid crowds and contact with children during the first fortnight of treatment.
How long does TB illness last?
The length of illness varies. People with infectious TB can usually resume their normal activities, including work and school attendance 14 days after starting treatment, if well enough to do so.
Lifestyle
No special diet is required. Eating well promotes good health. There is no need for separate dishes or cutlery. Smoking is not recommended and consumption of excessive alcohol should be avoided.
Your TB Nurse is
And can be contacted on
Your Consultant is
Updated June 2009