Tuberculosis Tests & Treatments

Tuberculosis

CCC Clinic

TB is a disease caused by bacteria. The bacteria can attack any part of the body, but usually attacks the lungs.

TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, laughs or sings, and typically requires prolonged exposure to spread from one person to another.

How TB Develops

Exposure to active TB disease — a small number of people who are exposed to TB germs cannot fight them, and the germs multiply and cause active TB disease.
Exposure to latent TB infection — most people who are exposed to TB germs keep them from multiplying because of their immune system's protection.
Latent infection becoming active — some people with dormant germs may develop active disease when their immune system weakens.

Treatments & Drugs

Medications are the cornerstone of tuberculosis treatment. Treatment requires antibiotics for a minimum of six to nine months, varying by age, overall health, drug resistance, the form of TB and the location of the infection. The most common TB drugs include:

Isoniazid
Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
Ethambutol (Myambutol)
Pyrazinamide

Completing Treatment

After a few weeks, you won't be contagious and you may start to feel better. It is vital to finish the full course of therapy, as stopping early risks drug resistance. Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) is recommended to support successful completion.