I’m sure most members are now aware of the continuing importance of TB ( “ every Filipino’s business " – (http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story...ino-s-business ). If you do want more information, there is a report highlighting TB screening gaps in those most at risk
( File on 4 on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday, 31 July at 20:00 BST and Sunday 5 August at 17:00 BST; listen again via the Radio 4 website or download the File on 4 podcast ).
The link for this report ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18969099
reminds us there were 9000 new cases of TB in the UK last year, 70% in recent migrants from countries where the disease remains prevalent.
It’s stated in that link “ around 80% of active cases of TB are reactivated cases of latent bacteria “. Latent means “ hidden “ , because the TB bug remains within cells, with a defensive barrier ( scar tissue ) round the infection. I have said that people with healed primary TB may reactivate in later life – if the immune system is weakened through ill health, but more commonly they are ( re)infected with a new bug. The exact proportions do vary according to circumstances. It's now thought that about 1 in 10 cases of latent TB will develop active TB at some point. Identifying latent TB - by Mantoux skin test and / or a blood test ( IGRA ) - is recommended by NICE ( National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence ) for at risk migrant groups. This is not foolproof and, as the report tells us, not even attempted everywhere in the UK.