How is TB Treated?

• Both inactive and active TB are treated with medications. If you have active TB,  you may take more medication for a longer time.
• You will likely begin feeling better shortly after starting treatment, but be sure to keep taking all medication you have been prescribed. This is the only way to cure the disease. Not taking all the medication means you won't get well and can continue to spread TB germs to others.
• Sometimes TB germs are resistant. This means they don't respond to the medications nornally used to treat them. Resistant TB is harder to cure, but effective medications can almost always be found.
• Make sure you take al the medication as directed, even when you start feeling better. You will take the medication for 6 months or longer. Sticking to this schedule takes patience. But stopping treatment early means your symptoms may come back. it also helps create germs that are more harmful and harder to kill.
• Get plenty of rest and eat healthy meals. A nutritious diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables helps the body fight infection.
• Check with your healthcare provider before using any over-the-counter medications that haven't been prescribed.