Amy Winehouse's TB fears

Jun 20, 2008, 9:25 GMT

05/30/2008 - Amy Winehouse - Rock in Rio Lisboa 2008 - Day 1 - Parque da Bela Vista - Lisboa, Portugal © Rui M. Leal / PR Photos

Amy Winehouse may have tuberculosis.

Doctors fear her symptoms of coughing up blood, weight loss and lack of appetite point toward the deadly disease - more commonly known as TB.

The 24-year-old has been in hospital on a drip since she collapsed at home on Monday (16.06.08).

A friend of the 'Back to Black' singer told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Amy is in a bad way. Doctors are still struggling to control her irregular heartbeat but the chest condition has been really worrying them.

"She has been suffering horrible coughing fits and hurling up blood for a while but refused to be examined. Doctors now believe it is tuberculosis and are doing more tests to be certain."

Amy's family and friends hope the diagnosis could shock Amy into quitting drugs for good.

The pal added: "Things sound really bad but at least now they have found something specific it will be easier to keep her in hospital and free from drugs. The word tuberculosis might frighten her into getting herself well. It certainly should do.

"She needs to realise she will die if she doesn't clean up her act."

Amy is scheduled to play Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday concert in London and the Glastonbury festival in Somerset this month.

Her spokesperson said the singer still plans to honour the commitments - but only if doctors will let her.

The spokesperson said: "At present she still intends to perform at her two scheduled dates next week.

"However the decision will be made entirely on the advice of her doctors and in her best interests. Amy has undergone more scans and tests and we are awaiting the verdict of her doctors."

Tuberculosis is transmitted by droplets in the air, and is usually more common in developing countries. Drug addicts, alcoholics and those with poor diets are more susceptible to the disease because of their reduced immune systems.

TB - which is on the rise in Britain - requires six months of medication and if left untreated attacks most organs, resulting in likely death.