Tuberculosis (TB) treatment involves a lengthy regimen of antibiotics to effectively eradicate the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. The standard treatment for active TB typically includes an initial two-month phase with a combination of four drugs: isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. This is followed by a continuation phase of four to seven months with isoniazid and rifampin. Adherence to the full course of treatment is crucial to prevent the development of drug-resistant TB. For latent TB infection, treatment usually involves a single antibiotic taken for several months to reduce the risk of the infection becoming active. In cases of drug-resistant TB, more extensive and prolonged treatment with second-line medications is required. Regular monitoring by healthcare providers ensures effectiveness and helps manage potential side effects, aiming to achieve a complete cure and prevent transmission.

Risk factors

• HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS)
• Substance abuse
• Silicosis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Severe kidney disease
• Low body weight
• Organ transplants
• Head and neck cancer
• Medical treatments such as corticosteroids or organ transplant
• Specialized treatment for rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease

How TB Spreads

TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

Symptoms of TB

• A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
• Pain in the chest
• Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)
• Weakness or fatigue
• Weight loss
• No appetite
• Chills
• Fever
• Sweating at night