Ten cases of tuberculosis have been confirmed in south London.

This includes three in Lewisham, one in Wandsworth, one in Bexley, one in Croydon, two in Greenwich, one in Merton and one in Richmond.

Here’s a guide, according to the NHS, on what to look out for and what to do if you’re infected.

What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection spread through inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person.

It mainly affects the lungs, but it can affect any part of the body, including the stomach, glands, bones and nervous system.

TB is a serious condition, but it can be cured if it's treated with the right antibiotics.

You should go straight to your GP if you suspect you’re infected.

What are the symptoms?

Typical symptoms of TB include:

• a persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks and usually brings up phlegm, which may be bloody

• weight loss

• night sweats

• high temperature (fever)

• tiredness and fatigue

• loss of appetite

• swellings in the neck

You should see a GP if you have a cough that lasts more than three weeks or you cough up blood.

Treating TB

TB can almost always be cured with treatment. A course of antibiotics will usually need to be taken for six months.

Several different antibiotics are used because some forms of TB are resistant to certain antibiotics.

If you're infected with a drug-resistant form of TB, treatment with six or more different medications may be needed.

If you're diagnosed with pulmonary TB, you'll be contagious for about two to three weeks into your course of treatment.

You won't usually need to be isolated during this time, but it's important to take some basic precautions to stop the infection spreading to your family and friends

If you are infected, the NHS advises:

• stay away from work, school or college until your TB treatment team advises you it's safe to return

• always cover your mouth when coughing, sneezing or laughing

• carefully dispose of any used tissues in a sealed plastic bag

• open windows when possible to ensure a good supply of fresh air in the areas where you spend time

• avoid sleeping in the same room as other people

The BCG vaccine offers protection against TB, and is recommended on the NHS for babies, children and adults under the age of 35 who are considered to be at risk of catching TB.

The BCG vaccine is not usually given to anyone over the age of 35 as there is no evidence that it works for people in this age group.