Failure to Diagnose Tuberculosis

When To Make A Clinical Negligence Claim

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease primarily affecting the lungs and failure to diagnose tuberculosis may result in prolonged illness. If left untreated, it may affect other parts of the body and is a public health issue as it can spread to others.

There are two types of tuberculosis – latent and active. You can catch active TB if you are in close, prolonged contact with an infected person who is coughing or sneezing. You are unlikely to catch it from a brief encounter, such as shaking hands or walking past someone with TB. While latent TB is not contagious, it may progress to active TB.

However, once a person with active TB begins treatment, they usually take a combination of antibiotics over a period of 6 to 9 months. They  typically stop being contagious after about two weeks. This is because the bacteria are reduced in the body.

But if TB is misdiagnosed or there is a delayed diagnosis, your health may worsen with potential complications and the spread of the disease. If you, or a loved one, has been affected in this way, Jefferies Claims can help regarding a clinical negligence claim.

Causes Behind Failure To Diagnose Tuberculosis

Non-Specific Symptoms

One of the main challenges in diagnosing TB is that your symptoms often resemble those of other common respiratory infections. Cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss can also be signs of other conditions such as pneumonia, the flu, or bronchitis.

With regard to latent TB, there may be no symptoms at all, making it even harder to detect unless specifically tested for tuberculosis.

Inadequate Medical History and Risk Factor Assessment

TB is more common in certain populations, including individuals with a history of close contact with someone with active TB and people with weakened immune systems (such as those with HIV or diabetes).

However, if a healthcare provider in a low incidence country may fail to ask about risk factors, such as international travel or possible exposure to people with TB. This may result in a failure to suspect TB resulting in a missed diagnosis

Delayed or Inadequate Testing

Diagnosing TB requires the use of specific tests, such as chest X-rays, sputum cultures, or molecular tests like PCR. Inadequate diagnostic resources, especially in resource-poor or overburdened healthcare systems, can result in missed or delayed diagnoses.

Misinterpretation of Test Results

Even when tests are conducted, their interpretation can sometimes be inaccurate. For example, sputum tests may produce false negatives, especially in cases of extrapulmonary TB. This is where the disease affects other parts of the body, not just the lungs.

Similarly, chest X-rays might not show typical TB findings, particularly in the early stages or in immunocompromised patients. If doctors are not trained to interpret these results or if they are overly reliant on one type of test, TB can be missed.

Failure to Consider TB in Diagnosis

TB is often underdiagnosed in places where it is considered less common. For instance, in developed countries, clinicians may not always think of TB when evaluating patients. If a doctor does not consider TB as a possibility, they may miss vital clues or fail to order necessary tests, which increases the risk of misdiagnosis.

 Active TB vs. Latent TB

Tuberculosis exists in two forms – latent tuberculosis (LTBI) and active tuberculosis (ATB). Here is the difference:

Latent Tuberculosis (LTBI)

In this type of TB, bacteria are present in the body but are inactive and not causing symptoms. People with latent TB are not contagious because the bacteria are contained in their body.

The immune system effectively controls the infection, preventing the bacteria from multiplying and spreading. However, latent TB can become active if the immune system is weakened due to factors such as age or other health conditions.

Active Tuberculosis (ATB)

Active TB occurs when the bacteria multiply and cause symptoms. This form of TB is contagious, as the bacteria can be expelled through coughing or sneezing, spreading to others. People with active TB experience symptoms like persistent cough, chest pain, night sweats, and weight loss. Active TB requires prompt treatment to prevent complications and to stop transmission to others.

The distinction between latent and active TB is crucial for treatment purposes. Latent TB may require preventive treatment to avoid progression to active disease. Alternatively, active TB requires immediate and intensive therapy to control the infection and prevent transmission.

Medical Negligence Claims for TB Misdiagnosis

You may suffer prolonged illness, complications, and the spread of the disease if you have contracted TB which has been misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. A lawyer who is experienced in medical negligence can assess your case and determine if you have a valid claim.

You should be able to show the direct link between the negligence and your worsened health outcome. This harm may include the development of active TB, increased severity of the disease or transmission to others.

Jefferies Claims can guide you through the process of how to claim compensation. We work with highly experienced lawyers in this field who operate on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis. We will give you the support and understanding you need at this difficult time. Call us at 0333 358 3034 for a free no-obligation chat or visit Jefferies Claims Contact Us Page