It’s that time of year again where everybody gets ill but some flu-like symptoms could actually be a sign of something far more serious.
Whether you’ve come down with Covid for the first time in five years or you’re suffering from man flu, nearly everyone will take a day off work with sickness between now and the new year, even if the ‘illness’ has something to do with the beers you’ve had the night before.
But every year, we also hear about the Victorian superbug illness Tuberculosis, and after a significant rise in the number of cases in recent years, the UK Health Security Agency has issued another warning about what to look out for as we enter the colder seasons.
Dr Esther Robinson, Head of the TB Unit at UKHSA, said:
“While notifications haven’t increased in the past year, TB remains a serious public health issue. It’s important that everyone is aware of the symptoms to ensure prompt testing and treatment, so that we can bring TB levels down significantly.
“If you have moved to England from a country where TB is more common, please make sure you know the symptoms of TB so you can get promptly tested and treated through your GP surgery.
The illness can be deadly (Getty Stock)
“Not every persistent cough, along with a fever, is caused by flu or COVID-19. A cough that usually has mucus and lasts longer than 3 weeks can be caused by a range of other issues, including TB. Please speak to your GP if you think you could be at risk.”
Although levels in 2025 remained roughly the same as 2024, the UKHSA also note that we need to see a substantial decline due to the public health risk that TB can pose, particularly with its reputation as the world’s leading cause of death from a single infectious agent.
What are the symptoms of tuberculosis (TB)?
According to the NHS, there are a number of symptoms that you’ll need to be aware of when it comes to steering clear of TB, since early diagnosis and treatment is vital if you want to survive and avoid any lasting effects, particularly in children.
It’s more than just a cough that you’ll need to look out for (Getty Stock)
Symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) usually come on gradually.
Common symptoms include:
- a cough that lasts more than 3 weeks – you may cough up mucus (phlegm) or mucus with blood in it
- feeling tired all the time
- a high temperature or night sweats
- not feeling as hungry as usual (loss of appetite)
- losing weight without trying
- feeling generally unwell
Like any other illness, it’s also important to stress your symptoms and ensure you get the necessary treatment, as doctors can often miss more obscure illnesses which can easily be diagnosed as something more common.
Earlier this year, a mother issued a severe warning after her son was told to be faking symptoms for attention when in fact he was suffering from spinal tuberculosis.
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