Tuberculosis

Symptoms of tuberculosis usually come on gradually.

Common symptoms include:

• A persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks. Phlegm is usually brought up, and it may be blood
• Weight loss
• Night sweats
• High temperature (fever)
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Swellings in the neck

If Tuberculosis has spread to another part of your body such as your glands, bones or brain, you may also have other symptoms, including:

• Swollen glands
• Body aches and pains
• Swollen joints or ankles
• Tummy or pelvic pain
• Constipation
• Dark or cloudy urine
• Headache
• Being sick
• Feeling confused
• Stiff neck
• Rash on the legs, face or other parts of the body

If you have TB and you have symptoms, it's called active TB.

Sometimes you can have TV in your body but have no symptoms.  This is called latent TB. 

What are the typical symptoms of Active TB?

There are two types of Tuberculosis:
TB is a bacterial infection. TB that affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) is the most contagious type. It usually only spreads after prolonged exposure to someone with the illness. 
In most healthy people, the body's natural defence against infection and illness (the immune system) kills the bacteria, and there are no symptoms.

• Latent TB -Sometimes, the immune system can't kill the bacteria, but manages to prevent it spreading in the body.  You won't have any symptoms, but the bacteria will remain in your body. This is known as latent TB. People with latent TB aren't infectious to others.
• Active TB- If the immune system fails to kill or contain the infection, it can spread within the lungs or other parts of the body. Symptoms will develop within a few weeks or months. This is known as active TB.

Do I need testing for Latent TB?

In some circumstances, you may need to have a test to check for latent TB; where you've been infected with TB bacteria, but don't have any symptoms. 
For example, you may need to have a test if you've been in close contact with someone known to have active TB disease involving the lungs. If you've recently spent time in a country where TB levels are high, a test would be useful.

If you've just moved to the UK from a country where TB is common, you should expect to be contacted on your arrival at Swansea University for TB screening. It is compulsory to attend all appointments for TB screening, even if you have already been tested prior to your arrival in the UK. The tests are for the safety and wellbeing of yourself and your fellow students. They must not be missed. If you think you should have received TB testing, but have missed your appointments or did not receive the notifications, please register with the GP in the Student Health Centre or at SA1 Medical Centre. They can arrange your testing if appropriate. 
(Information taken from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tuberculosis-tb/)

NHS Tuberculosis

GP

As a student you should register with a GP as soon as you can, that way you can receive emergency care if you need it and access health services quickly and easily while you're at University. This is especially important if you have an ongoing health condition.

If you wish to register for GP services whilst studying at Swansea University, surgeries are now using an online facility, ‘Ask My GP’. You will be able to access the registrations forms online. 

There are an array of GP surgery options available to students in Swansea but we work closely with the following given their close proximity to our campuses. 

http://www.universityhealthcentre.co.uk/ 

http://www.harbourside.wales.nhs.uk/home 

https://www.sa1medicalcentre.wales.nhs.uk/

Security

Swansea University offers a safe, secure and welcoming experience for students, staff and visitors.  We have a security tea, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  They offer emergency response, proactive crime prevention, security patrol, first aid, and lots more support.  

If you are in immediate danger, then please call 999.

If you are on Campus you can also contact Campus Security Services during office hours - by dialling 333 from any internal telephone or by using our SafeZone app.

Outside office hours, or from a mobile phone- by calling the University Switchboard on (01792) 205678 or by using the Safe Zone app.

See a GP if you suspect you have TB.