People are being urged to be aware of the symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) as Wolverhampton prepares to mark World TB Day on Monday 24 March, 2025.
TB is an infectious illness spread through inhaling small droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person and can cause serious health problems – particularly if it is not caught early. It is preventable and curable but still kills 2 people around the globe every minute.
World TB Day aims to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
The common symptoms of tuberculosis include a cough that lasts more than 3 weeks (you may cough up phlegm or mucus with blood in it), unexplained weight loss, a high temperature, heavy night sweats, a lack of appetite and feeling very tired and having no energy. In children, difficulty gaining weight or growing may indicate TB.
Case numbers continue to rise in England, making it a serious public health threat. The UK Health Security Agency’s latest annual TB report for 2023 found that rates increased by 11% compared with 2022, meaning that England is further off track to achieve the World Health Organisation’s target to end TB.
To mark World TB Day, Wolverhampton’s TB Team will be hosting a stand at the entrance to the Accident and Emergency department at New Cross Hospital between 10am and 2pm on Monday 24 March to provide staff and patients with information about tuberculosis and answer any questions they may have.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: “The symptoms of TB can be similar to many other respiratory conditions, so it can be easy to miss them.
“That is why we are asking people to be aware of the common symptoms such as a persistent cough that lasts more than 3 weeks, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, high temperature, tiredness and fatigue or a loss of appetite, to ‘think TB’ and seek advice from a healthcare professional if they are concerned.”
Although almost anyone can get TB, the most at risk include those who live in, come from, or have spent time in a country or area with high levels of TB. Other at risk groups include those in close contact with someone who’s infected for prolonged periods of time, for example living in the same home and those with a weakened immune system.
Wolverhampton’s TB Service accepts referrals from GPs and healthcare professionals for all active, latent and suspected TB. For general guidance and reassurance, call 01902 695940.
The Stop TB Partnership are championing this year as a year of hope with the theme ‘Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver’. For more information, please visit Stop TB Partnership.