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Tuberculosis

Treatment

Treatment for Latent TB Infection (LTBI)

People with latent TB infection have TB germs in their bodies, but they are not sick because the germs are not active. These people do not have symptoms of TB disease, and they cannot spread the germs to others. However, they may develop TB disease in the future. They are often prescribed treatment to prevent them from developing TB disease. Because there are less bacteria in a person with latent TB infection, treatment is much easier. Usually, only one drug is needed to treat latent TB infection. The medicine usually taken for the treatment of latent TB infection is called isoniazid (INH). INH for 9 months is the preferred regimen. INH kills the TB bacteria that are in the body. Children and people with HIV infection may need to take INH for a longer time.

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Treatment for TB Disease

A person with active TB disease has a large amount of TB bacteria in the body. TB disease can be treated by taking several drugs for 6 to 12 months. It is very important that people who have TB disease finish the medicine, and take the drugs exactly as prescribed. If they stop taking the drugs too soon, they can become sick again; if they do not take the drugs correctly, the germs that are still alive may become resistant to those drugs. TB that is resistant to drugs is harder and more expensive to treat.

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