Why has TB returned to the UK?

Answer 1

One factor in the rising TB trend in both the developed and the developing world is HIV infection, which weakens the immune system. One third of deaths of those who are HIV-positive are TB related. Those with HIV are 100 times more likely to develop TB than other members of the population. Other people who are at risk from the disease include those with Diabetes, the malnourished, alcoholics, and IV drug users.

Another aspect in the resurgence of the disease is the development of drug resistant strains which now affect up to 50 million people. These strains can be created by bad medical practice such as over-prescribing antibiotics or patients not taking the drugs long enough to get rid of the disease. Instead this encourages the bacteria to become tougher.

Treating patients with drug resistant TB is beyond the pocket of many developing countries. The cost of treatment can rise from $2000 per patient with non-resistant TB to $250,000 for multi-drug resistant TB.

The multi drug resistant strains are often fatal and have mortality rates that are comparable with those which existed before the development of antibiotics.

Some experts also blame lax public health procedures at Immigration control for the rise in TB in developed countries.

Visitors arriving from less developed countries where TB is more prevalent may get little medical attention even if they admit to having the disease. Among black Africans in Britain TB rose by over 100% between the end of the 1980s and early 1990s.