Tuberculosis

Our team will manage and support patients with active, latent and Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial infections.

We also offer:

• Contact tracing and screening for close contacts of both human and Bovine Infection
• Provision of BCG clinics to adults that are eligible for the vaccine
• Education and training
• Telephone advice for health professionals and the public

Before antibiotics were introduced, TB was a major health problem in the UK. Nowadays, the condition is much less common.

Devon is a low incidence area for Tuberculosis. However because of this diagnosis is often a challenge. It is common for patients to struggle with the diagnosis, the condition and the treatment. Sadly, some patients still experience stigma. We offer help and support to patients through all of this.

Tuberculosis is a notifiable infection and we therefore work closely with Public Health England.

Northern services 

There is a telephone helpline for people undergoing tests and treatment for OSAS. This is available Monday - Friday, 8.00 am - 4.00pm on 01271 311600.

Eastern services

For patients/carers, call 07879 810457

Northern services

Respiratory care clinical nurse specialist: Lynn Greenfield
Sharon Newcombe Tel: 01271 311600.

Eastern services

The service is jointly run by Tom Burden (Lead Consultant for TB) and George Trafford (Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology), with additional help from the respiratory consultants.

The respiratory nurses are fundamental to helping patients complete treatment. Our nurses also provide ongoing support.

Ruth Unsworth is our TB nurse specialist and has significant experience in managing the disease.

Your healthcare professional will advise where your appointment will take place. Your appointment may take place at one of our outpatient clinics situated within our main hospital sites or within the community.

Clinics may be face to face, via video link or telephone. It is better if we see you face to face for your first appointment.

Northern Services

North Devon District Hospital 

North Devon District Hospital

Raleigh Park

Barnstaple

Devon

EX31 4JB

Eastern services

RD&E Wonford, Barrack Rd, Exeter EX2 5DW

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Q219

Clinics in Medical Outpatients (Level 1, Area D)

With treatment, TB can usually be cured. Most people will need a course of antibiotics, usually for six months. However, some patients require a longer course of treatment.

Several different antibiotics are used. This is because some forms of TB are resistant to certain antibiotics. If you are infected with a drug-resistant form of TB, treatment with six or more different medications may be needed.

It is really important that this medication is taken as prescribed. Missing doses can increase the risk of drug resistant TB, which is much harder to treat.

Like any other medicine, TB drugs can sometimes cause side-effects. Blood tests are required before starting TB drugs and patients are monitored while on treatment.

Baseline eye tests are also arranged at the start of treatment because in very rare cases, one of the antibiotics can cause reversible visual disturbances. Eyes will continue to be monitored during treatment as part of standard care.

Directly Observed Therapy is necessary for some patients to make sure they are following the treatment.

The course of medication for Latent TB is generally for a shorter period of time (3 months) although some patients will need a six month course of treatment. Blood tests are also required before starting these drugs and patients are monitored while on treatment.

If you are in close contact with someone who has TB, tests may be carried out to see if you are also infected. These can include a chest X-ray, blood tests, and a skin test called the Mantoux test.

Our service has close links with the ILD charities (websites listed above) and various support groups in the region. When attending clinic we provide you with up-to-date information listing these contacts and providing you with information on who to contact when.

The helplines for these charities are:

• Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis: 01223 785725
• British Lung Foundation: 03000 030 555
• Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust: 01543 442191

We are pleased that we have good links with many local respiratory services and we ensure that we copy them in to any letters sent to the GP.

Who to contact when:

• Exeter ILD phone number: medication, prescriptions and side effects for medication prescribed by ILD team and to chase yearly appointments if required
• Your local respiratory consultant secretary: for regular local follow-up
• GP: signs of a chest infection (increase in cough/breathlessness) for antibiotics and medications to treat symptoms / routine blood test appointments unless advised otherwise

We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital. 

We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information.

Find out more

A persistent, often slow growing infection, which causes excess morbidity and mortality in the UK.

Major limiting factor when diagnosing Tuberculosis (TB) is not thinking of TB as a possible cause. This is particular the case in low incidence areas.
Tuberculosis does not just affect high-risk populations; consider it in all. Refer all suspected cases urgently to respiratory medicine, please.

Please send sputum (or other tissue) for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) when considering TB. Sputum is not routinely tested for TB requesting AFBs enables prompt diagnosis.

Please think about Tuberculosis if patients have one or more:

• Persistent cough
• Weight loss
• Night sweats
• Haemoptysis
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Chest pain

Contact: rde-tr.tbrespiratory@nhs.net