12 people a year getting TB

Around a dozen people every year are contracting tuberculosis in the Western Trust area, health chiefs have warned.

Speaking as World TB Day happens this week, the Western Health and Social Care Trust took the opportunity to raise awareness of tuberculosis (TB) to help stop transmission of the disease, by encouraging early diagnosis and treatment.

Tuberculosis can be spread through sneezing and coughing.placeholder image
Tuberculosis can be spread through sneezing and coughing.

Symptoms include persistent cough, night sweats and fever, weight loss or blood in your phlegm/ spit. Dr Martin Kelly, Western Trust Consultant Respiratory Physician, said: “TB can be curable and the sooner the condition is diagnosed the better outcome of treatment for patients. TB can be spread from person to person when someone who has TB sneezes or coughs.”

Anyone with symptoms should contact their GP.

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