ukhsa ‘s Most recent data on tuberculosis (TB) showed 13% increase in the number of reports in the UK in 2024 (5,480) compared to 2023 (4,850). This represents rebounds over 19 numbers, despite significant progress in decreasing tuberculosis over the last decades.
In this blog post, we briefly explain the trends and patterns that need to keep the boundaries to prevent medical professionals from being bounded and preventing the disease.
Cause and symptoms of tuberculosis
tuberculosis Infection due to bacteria. It mainly affects the lungs, but it can affect all parts of the body, including lymph nodes (fountains), bones and brains, which can cause meningitis. Infection spreads when there is tuberculosis, coughing or sneezing in the lungs.
Symptoms include cough, high temperature, soaked night sweat, loss of appetite, and unprecedented weight loss. It is potentially deadly, but can be treated early if it is diagnosed early and immediately treated with a correct combination of certain antibiotics. Early diagnosis is essential for the most successful results.
British tuberculosis fee
The incidence of tuberculosis has been low in the UK for a long time. However, according to the data of 2023 and 2024, the trend of relocation has changed, and now the interest rate exceeds 19 prior 19 numbers.
Tuberculosis is the most common in urban areas, including London. But recently, we have seen an increase in countries with low historical incidence of tuberculosis, such as southwest and northeastern parts.
This latest data set confirms that it is far from the trajectory needed for the UK to meet. World Health Organization (WHO) 2035 Removal Target. These goals include 90%of those who have been treated with tuberculosis to provide access to medical services and use the WHO recommended test as the first method of TB diagnosis.
Group at the highest risk
We know in the UK The highest incidence is one of the people born outside the UK. (81.5%). In the case of a person who was born in the UK (18.5%), a study showed a clear connection between tuberculosis and deprivation, including those who experienced homeless, drugs and alcohol dependence and contacted the criminal justice system.
How to help medical professionals to reduce tuberculosis
Dangerous groups and medical workers must know the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis and find diagnosis in a timely manner. Tuberculosis early treatment reduces the risk of spreading to others and improves individual results.
It is not uncommon for the initial symptoms of TB, such as persistent cough and high temperature, to confuse the flu or covid-19. For this reason, it is important for medical professionals to recognize tuberculosis symptoms. In particular, persistent coughing with mucus and lasting for more than three weeks can be a sign of infection.
In a timely manner of positive diagnosis, notifications should be prioritized because they inform subsequent public health measures.
Breaking down barriers to treatment
We know that many people who have been diagnosed with tuberculosis are obstacles to approaching interventions necessary to limit civil warwaves. Various elements, such as awareness of medical services, language and cultural barriers and geographical approaches, can participate in the lack of support for attending a promise. We also experience difficulties in self -management treatment and subsequent promises. thus, 25%of individuals with tuberculosis and social risk factors do not complete treatment within the expected period..
UKHSA recently published Toolkit for dealing with TB in a health group (IHGS). This toolkit provides support to develop, improve and provide services to solve TB using the integrated approach of IHG with medical services in a local system. This toolkit is the basis for evidence, showing the best practices and learning of the country, showing the effects of volunteer activities, providing patient -centered treatment, and using accessible communication. Recommendations include:
- We aim to select and program local demands
- Stole on tuberculosis for health groups and solve the wrong information
- Employees provide training for health groups and local tuberculosis channels.
- Participate in people with living experiences in service design and commissioning
- Incentives and In -Ablers are used to support participation in the completion of individual treatment.
Genome surveillance
UKHSA’s world’s best genome sequencing feature is adjusting antibiotics used to treat and treat individuals with TB. As a result, time, from TB detection to effective understanding of drugs, time has been reduced by half of half to about 2 to 4 weeks from 6 to 12 to 4 weeks in most treatment infections.
As tuberculosis cases increase, we must maintain collective action and boundaries. UKHSA understands the best ways to re -adjust the efforts to remove these preventive and treatable infections in cooperation with partners in the medical system.
