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Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, also known as 'the tubercle bacillus'. TB commonly affects the lungs, but can reach any part of the body. It is usually spread by the coughs or sneezes of an infected person, but is not highly contagious. Prolonged close contact with a person with TB--for example, living in the same household--is usually necessary for infection to be passed on. It may take many years before someone infected with TB develops the full disease. TB worldwide is a massive problem. In England cases fell progressively until the mid-1980s but started to rise again in the early 1990s. Cases have increased by 25% in the last 10 years. Around 6,500 cases are now reported each year. TB is curable with a course of special antibiotics taken for at least 6 months. The most important part of controlling TB is identifying and treating those who already have the disease, to shorten their infection and to stop it being passed on to others.
Published: 3 January 2006
Frequently asked questions about BCG vaccine, including scenarios where the vaccine has been out of cold chain conditions.
On 6 July 2005, a letter from the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Pharmaceutical Officer (PL/CMO/2005/3) detailed changes in national BCG vaccination policy. This operational note provides further information and advice to help PCTs and local BCG services to adapt to these policy changes. (Gateway reference 5360).
Published: 19 July 2005
This information will be required by all relevant professionals (e.g. Immunisation Coordinators, Consultants in Communicable Disease Control, hospital pharmacists, chest clinics, chest physicians, TB nurse specialists) involved in tuberculin skin testing for screening or diagnostic purposes. (Gateway reference 5405).
As proposed in his infectious disease strategy, Getting Ahead of the Curve, the Chief Medical Officer published a TB action plan, Stopping Tuberculosis in England on 7 October 2004. The immediate aims of the action plan are to reduce the risk of new infections, provide high quality treatment and care for people with TB and to maintain low levels of drug resistance. The long-term goal is to reduce and ultimately eliminate TB in this country. The action plan sets out clear steps to be taken by the NHS, wider Government and health communities to tackle TB.
Key reports, policy documents and awareness campaigns about tuberculosis.
Useful links to websites about TB immunisation and prevention.
Symptom and prevention information for TB. The Immunisation website is published by the Department of Health and for the NHS.
General information, advice and updates on TB from the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
