Tuberculosis
This horrible bug usually attacks the lungs, causing a cough that lasts a long time, weight loss, fever, night sweats, tiredness, loss of appetite and swellings in the neck.
Key Facts around Tuberculosis
Many people in the world carry the bacteria that cause TB but do not become ill. This is called “latent TB”.1
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How do people catch this disease?
By breathing in droplets from the coughs and sneezes of someone infected with the bacteria that cause the disease.1,2
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Which countries are affected?
You can catch TB almost anywhere, but some countries in Africa and Asia are particularly high risk areas (see map).2
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What are the symptoms?
Persistent cough, sometimes with blood, fever, chest pains, night sweats, weight loss.1,3
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How serious is the disease?
If combination therapy is given in time, a patient can make a full recovery. Tuberculous meningitis poses a particular threat.3
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Can I reduce the chances of catching Tuberculosis?
You can take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of infection:
- Visit a travel health clinic to assess the risks of the planned trip and get advice about available vaccinations and further precautions.
Click here to find your nearest travel health clinic and make an appointment: https://www.reisemedizincheck.at/en/find-a-travel-health-service
- Visit a travel health clinic to assess the risks of the planned trip and get advice about available vaccinations and further precautions.
References
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- World Health Organization. Factsheet. Tuberculosis. February 2018. Available online: http://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis (Last accessedSeptember 2020)
- World Health Organization. Tuberculosis, estimated new cases, 2010. Available online: http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/Files/Maps/Global_EstimatedTB_ITHRiskMap.png
(Last accessed September 2020) - Gesundheit. GV.AT. Tuberkulose. Available online: https://www.gesundheit.gv.at/leben/gesundheitsvorsorge/reisemedizin/infektionskrankheiten/tuberkulose (Last accessed September 2020)
2006-AT-WEB-035
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