While it is highly curable these days, the ‘world’s worst illness’ is one of those scary ancient diseases with a lethal past that we have yet to eradicate.

Although the number of cases remains modest, with only a few thousand people diagnosed in England each year, statistics have returned to levels seen prior to the coronavirus epidemic.

According to research issued yesterday (March 24), the worryingly high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) diagnoses among youngsters in particular has served as a ‘disturbing wake-up call’ across Europe.

Treatment success rates are also lower than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) aim of 90%, and there are concerns about “the rise of drug-resistant tuberculosis,” which has an even lower treatment success rate.

Most people think of TB as a disease that predominantly affects the lungs, which is right, but it may extend to other regions of the body and cause other symptoms as well.

What are the signs of tuberculosis?

According to the NHS, symptoms of tuberculosis develop gradually and often include a cough lasting more than three weeks.

You may also cough up blood or mucus during these spells.

TB can also induce high temperatures and nocturnal sweats, lack of appetite, and unexplained weight loss.

A person with the condition may feel tired and unwell, even without symptoms.

However, this is far from the end of the possible symptoms of tuberculosis, as the disease can extend to other regions of your body, such as your bones, brain, and lymph nodes.

This can cause a variety of additional symptoms in the body, such as swollen glands, joints, and ankles, as well as generalized aches and pains.

If tuberculosis has spread, you may have stomach or pelvic pain, a headache, or disorientation on the other side.

Back in your bowels, you may feel constipated and produce black or hazy urine.

Vomiting, stiff neck, and a rash on your legs, face, or other body parts are all possible symptoms of spreading tuberculosis.

The NHS also advises that tuberculosis can be present in your body but not cause symptoms, a condition known as ‘latent TB,’ whereas signs indicate ‘active TB’.

If you’ve been experiencing these symptoms and are coughing up blood or mucus, you should request an urgent appointment.

If you have a stiff neck and a terrible headache that makes looking at bright lights unpleasant, it might be an indication that tuberculosis has spread to your brain and caused meningitis, in which case you should phone 999 and go to A&E very quickly.