Questions & Answers

People who have TB or are concerned about TB often have lots of questions. If you have a general question about TB, look to see if it's answered here. If not you can ask us directly using our questions form. We may post interesting questions for others to read, though we will not publish your personal details.

Please be aware though, our advisors are not medically trained and cannot give medical advice, override the opinion of your doctor or comment on individual cases. But we are happy to provide general information about TB and TB related issues in the UK.

 

Ask a question

If your question is not already answered on this page, email your question to question@thetruthabouttb.org, or ask us using the form below.

Is there any way I can prevent myself from getting TB?

TB is more likely to take hold when your immune system is weakened. We should try to avoid stress, eat healthily and limit things such as cigarettes, drugs and alcohol.

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My Father has TB, what are the chances I will catch it from him?

It is possible, but there are some important points to know:

• Close contact with someone with infectious TB in the lungs or throat is required.
• 60% of healthy adults’ immune systems can completely kill off the bacteria if they do breathe it in.
• TB is not spread through spitting, shared surfaces of sharing objects such as cups and cutlery.

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I have TB, what can I do to stop my family from catching it from me?

If you are diagnosed with TB in the lungs or throat you may be contagious until you have been receiving treatment for two to three weeks. Good hygiene, fresh air and sunlight can all help prevent the spread of TB.

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Are tablets the only way to cure TB?

Yes, there is no proven natural cure for TB. Though good nutrition and a healthy way of life are helpful companions to the prescribed drugs program.

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My pregnant wife needs to take TB medication, what are the risks?

  • Standard TB medicines, Rifampicin, Ethambutol, Isoniazid and Pyrazinamide, have not been associated with harmful foetal effects. Though supplements may be useful for your baby during breastfeeding.
  • Other medicines, such as Streptomycin, Capreomycin, Kanamycin, Tobramycin, Prothionamide and Ethionamide are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

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Is there a vaccination against TB?

Yes, the BCG.  It is a weakened strain of TB which builds up immunity, and encourages the body to fight TB if infected. Though BCG gives some people protection against TB, it cannot prevent everyone who comes into contact with it from getting ill.

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Can I have the TB vaccination?

BCG is no longer offered routinely to children in secondary schools in the United Kingdom. It has been replaced with a targeted programme for babies, children and young adults at higher risk of TB.

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My child has been offered a BCG vaccine, but I have heard it is dangerous?

The safety of vaccines is considered very carefully.  When vaccines are offered it is because the risk of not having them (i.e. the risk of harm from a disease or illness) is considered significantly higher than the risk of harm from the vaccine.  In the UK only children who are at higher risk of catching TB are offered the vaccine. 

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I had TB 10 years ago, am I safe from TB now?

TB treatment is very successful and is designed to eradicate all TB bacteria, providing that all the tablets are taken in the way the doctors instructed.  However, it is possible to get TB more than once in your lifetime.

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My doctor wants my children to take TB tablets, but they are perfectly well. Why do they need to take them?

It sounds as though your children have been diagnosed with latent TB. This means they have the TB bacteria inside them, but their body is keeping it under control. Children are treated for latent TB, as their under-developed immune systems mean they are more likely to develop TB illness than adults.

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