Tuberculosis
The World Health Organization’s Global tuberculosis report 2021 acknowledges that TB is the ninth leading cause of death worldwide and the leading cause from a single infectious agent, ranking above HIV/AIDS.
In 2016, 6.3 million new cases of TB were reported (up from 6.1 million in 2015) and an estimated 10.4 million people developed the disease.
Nurses in all areas of health care are in an ideal position to control the spread of TB by identifying new cases. This can be done by recognising signs, symptoms and risk factors for TB. By supporting patients to complete their treatment and preventing new cases, transmission rates and cases of TB can be reduced.
Early diagnosis can significantly improve patient outcomes, and reduce infection rates.
- Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.
- TB is a notifiable disease in the UK, please see further Public Health England (PHE) guidance on notifiable diseases
- Pulmonary TB disease is infectious, following prolonged close contact with an infectious case.
- TB is curable with a combination of specific antibiotics, treated for at least six months.
TB rates in the UK have continued to rise, prompting Public Health England to identify TB as a key priority. Public Health England has worked closely with NHS England to develop a collaborative Tuberculosis (TB) strategy for England which brings together best practice in clinical care and social support to help strengthen the control of TB.
Public Health England has published Tuberculosis in England 2018 report, (presenting data to the end of 2017). This annual TB report describes the epidemiology of TB in England since the launch of the collaborative strategy. The report is also supported by the following documents:
The National Knowledge Service- Tuberculosis
The National Knowledge Service - Tuberculosis (NKS-TB) has updated its information resources about the treatment, prevention and management of TB in the UK.
These resources are updated with current evidence-based guidance and expert opinion to inform decision-making by professionals, carers and the public with regards the recognition and management of TB.
A case management tool for TB prevention, care and control in the UK
New guidance for clinical and non-clinical staff involved in the management and care of TB patients.
TB Case Management Forms
These forms were originally published as appendices in A Case Management Tool for TB Prevention, Care and Control in the UK in 2019 (006 194) and have now been extracted for download and use by nurses in managing and caring for patients with TB.
Managing TB during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Further resources
Tuberculosis Nurse Competency Framework for TB Prevention, Care and Control
The Tuberculosis Nurse Competency Framework for TB Prevention, Care and Control Has been developed by Public Health England (PHE) and the NHS in partnership with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Public Health Forum. It provides a clear pathway of skills and knowledge development and how nurses and midwives can acquire and advance these. It is particularly relevant to nurses and midwives working in specialist TB areas but is also useful for those working in other areas and involved in highlighting the risks of TB and in making every contact count.
View the framework: Tuberculosis Nurse Competency Framework for TB Prevention, Care and Control
The following links provide further information on TB:
- Managing tuberculosis today - A presentation from Hanna Kaur, a TB Lead Nurse.
- NICE quality standard (2017) Tuberculosis. This quality standard covers preventing, identifying and managing latent and active tuberculosis (TB) in children, young people and adults.
- NICE clinical guideline (2016) Tuberculosis. This guideline covers preventing, identifying and managing latent and active tuberculosis (TB) in children, young people and adults.
- Public Health England (2021) Tuberculosis (TB): a resource to support TB in low incidence areas. Information for TB control boards and partners to support the management of areas where TB occurs in very low numbers.
- Public Health England (2017) Tackling tuberculosis in under-served populations.
- Public Health England: BCG vaccination information
- Royal College of Nursing guidance (2019) A Case Management Tool for TB Prevention, Care and Control in the UK. This publication includes guidance for clinical and non-clinical staff involved in the management and care of TB patients.
- Stop TB Partnership. The Stop TB Partnership aims to push tuberculosis up the world political agenda.
- Truth about TB: This website has resources with text available in multiple languages to support TB awareness and health promotion. There is also an updated section about latent TB
- Tuberculosis in general practice. This open access e-learning resource has been developed by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in partnership with colleagues from TB alert and Public Health England. The course consists of two 30 minute modules and uses case studies to increase knowledge and skills in identifying patients with TB both with pulmonary and extra pulmonary symptoms. It also highlights risk factors, the importance of screening, limitations of vaccination and contact tracing.
- UK Health Security Agency. Tuberculosis (TB): action plan for England. The aim of the TB action plan, 2021 to 2026 is to improve the prevention, detection and control of TB in England.
Page last updated - 20/03/2023
