While many of us think of TB as a thing of the past, it’s still very much present — and remains one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. If you’re heading to a high-risk country, it’s well worth understanding your risk and knowing how to protect yourself and others.

🦠 What Is Tuberculosis (TB)?

TB is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mostly affects the lungs (pulmonary TB), but it can impact other parts of the body like the brain, spine or kidneys.

It spreads through inhalation of respiratory droplets, for example, when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

💡 Did you know? In 2021 alone, 10.6 million people became ill with TB and 1.6 million died globally — making it a major public health concern.

🌍 Where Is TB a Problem?

TB is most common in parts of:

Sub-Saharan Africa
South-East Asia
Eastern Europe
South and Central America

Travellers to these regions, especially if staying long-term, working in healthcare, or visiting friends and relatives, may be at higher risk.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers an annual incidence of 40 per 100,000 or more to be high-risk — and that includes several popular travel destinations.

🧑‍⚕️ Who’s At Risk of TB?

While anyone can catch TB, the risk increases if you:

Spend extended time in high-incidence areas
Have close contact with someone who has TB
Are under 5 years old or over 65
Have a weakened immune system (e.g. due to HIV, cancer, diabetes, or medications)

Additionally, latent TB — where someone carries the bacteria without symptoms — can reactivate years later, especially if your immune defences weaken.

🧬 What Is Multidrug-Resistant TB (MDR-TB)?

Multidrug-resistant TB is a serious form of TB that doesn’t respond to key first-line antibiotics. It’s harder and more expensive to treat, and only around 40% of people with MDR-TB globally receive proper treatment.

This is a growing concern in global health and highlights why prevention through vaccination and early detection is so important.

🩺 TB Symptoms to Look Out For

Symptoms usually develop slowly, over several weeks or months. They can include:

General TB Symptoms:

Fever
Night sweats
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Weight loss

Pulmonary TB (Lung-related) Symptoms:

Persistent cough (lasting more than 3 weeks)
Coughing up blood or sputum
Chest pain

Without treatment, TB can progress gradually and become life-threatening.

💉 TB Vaccination Advice for Travellers

In the UK, the BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine is offered to infants and certain high-risk groups — including some travellers.

You may be eligible for the BCG vaccine if:

You’re travelling to a country with high TB incidence (over 40 cases per 100,000 population)
You plan to stay for 3 months or longer
You have close or prolonged exposure to local populations, particularly in healthcare or education
You were born or have family connections to high-risk countries

🧒 For children under 1: 0.05 ml intradermal injection
👨 For ages 12 months and over: 0.1 ml intradermal injection

📗 For the full guidance, visit the Green Book – Chapter 32: Tuberculosis

📍 TB Travel Tips: Stay Safe Abroad

Tip	Why It Matters
Get vaccinated (if eligible)	Especially important for extended stays
Avoid crowded, enclosed environments	Especially in areas with poor ventilation
Seek prompt medical attention for symptoms	Don’t ignore a cough that lasts more than 3 weeks
Be TB-aware if immunocompromised	Risk of reactivation of latent TB is higher
Avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals	TB spreads easily in close quarters

📞 TB Vaccine & Travel Health Services at Ready Health, Standish

At Ready Health Clinic, we offer:

Risk assessments for TB and BCG eligibility
Advice for long-stay or high-risk travellers
Access to tailored travel vaccination services
Guidance for children, healthcare workers, and family visitors

📍 Conveniently located for Wigan, Chorley, Horwich, and Bolton
🩺 CQC-registered private medical clinic
📞 Call now to book: 01257 676001 or visit our website