The specific cough doctors are urging people to get checked this winter - and it's not flu or Covid

People with a specific type of cough are being urged to get checked out following a 'concerning' rise in cases of tuberculosis, a doctor has warned.

Cases of tuberculosis, known as TB, have increased across most of the country and the UKHSA says it is a "serious public health issue". TB infection usually affects the lungs and can be serious if left untreated.

New figures released this week show an 8.1 per cent increase in TB notifications in the first three quarters of 2023, compared with the same period last year. The north east and Yorkshire and the Humber saw the largest increases in the most recent quarter, according to the UKHSA.

READ MORE: Mapped - cases of the 'Victorian' disease and where it is on the rise again in England

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Doctors have urged anyone with symptoms of the disease to get checked out by a GP. "Early diagnosis means starting treatment sooner and protecting yourself and those around you," the UKHSA said in a statement.

Dr Esther Robinson said there is a specific kind of cough that could be a tell-tale sign of the infection, but with winter approaching many may confuse it for the flu or Covid-19.

She said: "We are concerned that TB cases have increased in some parts of England. TB is curable and preventable but despite significant progress towards elimination in recent years, the disease remains a serious public health issue.

"With treatment, most people will make a full recovery, so it's very important those with symptoms are tested for TB and appropriate treatment is started promptly, both for the individual and to prevent transmission."

She warned that suffering with a cough for longer than three weeks could be a reason to see