Tuberculosis (Treatment)

How tuberculosis is treated ?

The line of treatment for active cases is using combination of drugs for a certain period of time.

• Isoniazid (Liver function test should be monitored)

• Rifampicin

• Ethambutol (eyes should be checked periodically for color perception )

• Pyrazinamide (person’s serum uric acid needs to be checked periodically)

• Streptomycin 4 drug regimen is followed where isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol or streptomycin are used for 2 months and then isoniazid and rifampicin are used for 4 months.

Prevention:

• Avoid cigarette smoke. Quit cigarette smoking and avoid being a passive smoker as well.

• Vaccines: get Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine

• Use N-95 mask- prevents you aerosols and micro droplets from an infected person.

• Exercise regularly – helps in boosting your immune system

• Controlled diabetes – Prevents more being vulnerable to the risk of developing TB.

• Avoid substance abuse – Quit taking or doing drugs to lower down your risk of developing TB.

Living with Tuberculosis

• Follow the line of treatment: defaulters are prone to develop multiple drug resistant TB , which is more fatal.

• Cover mouth while talking, sneezing, coughing or laughing, to avoid spreading of infection to others.

• Good ventilation: Keep the room airy and well ventilated. The bacteria spread more in a closed small room where there is lack of air movement.

• Keep a check of your symptoms: its duration and severity.

• Get good sleep: if your symptoms are disturbing you to sleep, see a doctor and discuss.

• Pregnancy: if you conceive, contact your doctor and discuss the risk related to pregnancy.

• Avoid emotional stress and society taboo.

• Quit smoking

• Avoid places which are over crowded, room with too many people or work place in order to prevent the disease from spreading to others.