TB

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/tuberculosis.htm

What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by an infection with the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

During the 19th century, up to 25 per cent of deaths in Europe were caused by this disease. The death toll began to fall as living standards improved at the start of the 20th century, and from the 1940s, effective medicines were developed.

However, there are now more people in the world with TB than there were in 1950, and 3 million individuals will die this year from this disease - mainly in less developed countries.

The disease is more common in areas of the world where poverty, malnutrition, poor general health and social disruption are present.

In the UK, too, the number of TB cases is again rising. Alcoholics, HIV-positive individuals, some recent immigrants and healthcare workers are at increased risk.

The disease is most commonly found in places such as hostels for the homeless, prisons, and centres for immigrants arriving from areas with high rates of HIV infection or inadequate health provision.