World TB Day backed by hospital

8:00pm Wednesday 23rd March 2011

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YEOVIL District Hospital has been supporting World TB Day by raising awareness of the disease in the hospital reception area today.

Tuberculosis (TB) is often considered to be a Third World disease but in recent years the UK has seen cases rising to over 9000 per year, particularly in urban areas.

TB can affect absolutely anybody in our community and usually causes disease in the lungs but can affect other parts of the body. However, only disease in the lungs is infectious.

Senior respiratory nurse specialist, Kate Brookman, said: “Symptoms include a cough that lasts longer than three weeks, high temperature, sweats, unexplained weight loss and feeling constantly tired and ill.

“Anyone who has these symptoms should see their GP as soon as possible.

“We can cure most types of TB now, although treatment times are for up to a year.”

if you would like more information about TB please contact Kate on 01935-384574 or look at the TB Alert website tbalert.org – which can be accessed via the link on this page of our website.

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