Health chiefs’ tuberculosis warning despite fall in cases

Nov 13 2008 by Mark Smith, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

HEALTH bosses are warning Halton residents to be on the lookout for symptoms of tuberculosis – despite a cut in the number of cases across the borough.

Figures released as part of the Health Protection Agency’s annual TB report show that Halton saw three cases of the disease in 2007 – the most recent year for which figures are available – down from six cases in 2006.

But the agency is still warning people to be on the lookout for symptoms of the potentially fatal illness – which has grown resistant to some forms of antibiotics.

Dr Marko Petrovic, the HPA’s regional TB head for the North West of England, said: “We have two key messages.

“If people think that they might have symptoms of TB they should seek medical help as soon as possible.

“The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the better the prognosis for the patient and the better things are for people close to the patient.

“TB is almost always fully curable, but if left untreated for too long, there is a greater chance of serious damage being caused to the patient’s lungs. It can even be life-threatening.

“Our second key message is that the full course of treatment must be completed.

“Patients usually cease to be infectious after just two weeks on treatment and they tend to feel much better, but if they do not continue the full course, infection may return and possibly in a drugresistant form.

”The typical symptoms are a chronic cough with bloodtinged sputum, fever, night sweats and weight loss.

The bacteria which cause the disease are spread through the air when carriers cough, sneeze, or spit.