How to Treat Tuberculosis

Treating tuberculosis (TB) is a lengthy process that takes between 6six to 24 months to complete.

Signs of tuberculosis include fever, night sweats, sputum that is tinged with blood, and weight loss. As tuberculosis progresses, organs can become infected, leading to organ shut down. It is important to pay close attention to signs of tuberculosis since an early diagnosis ensures effective treatment.

A TB treatment strategy approved by the WHO (World Health Organization) is DOTS, Directly Observed Treatment Short-course.

Antibiotics such as isoniazid and rifampicin are medications commonly used for tuberculosis treatment. Any latent TB can generally be cured in six to nine months. The progress of TB treatment is checked by liver function tests and testing sputum.

Drug-resistant tuberculosis can take between one to two years for antibiotics to take effect. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is resistant to the first-line of antibiotics, such as isoniazid and rifampicin. Each strain of MDR-TB has specific treatment guidelines that are specific to the microorganism causing the illness.

For more information on tuberculosis, see below:

Tuberculosis: Top 5 Drugs

Tuberculosis: Latest Medical Breakthroughs

Tuberculosis: Top 5 Symptoms