TB may be hard to spot due to rarity

U.S. doctors often misdiagnose tuberculosis due to its rarity, leaving some patients to suffer for years, the Los Angeles Times reported .

Recognition of tuberculosis, or TB, is a growing concern for many doctors in the United States. California has reported the highest rate of tuberculosis patients, attributing it to the high number of immigrants who arrive from countries where the disease is prevalent, the Times said.

If misdiagnosed, patients can suffer for a number of years from symptoms such as a bloody cough, stomach pains, headaches and backaches. The Times said that most doctors mistreat the disease because it has been mostly eradicated in the United States.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are taking steps to educate doctors on how to spot early signs.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International