Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that has a high chance of being cured, especially if it is identified in the initial phase and treatment is carried out correctly, in accordance with medical recommendations.
Tuberculosis treatment typically involves the use of antibiotics for 6 to 24 months. In the case of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, it is also important to include therapeutic measures to alleviate the symptoms presented, such as physiotherapy or surgery, for example. See more details about how tuberculosis is treated.
How to achieve healing
In order for a cure for tuberculosis to be achieved more quickly, it is important that tuberculosis is identified at the first symptoms. To do this, it is important to pay attention to signs such as:
- Persistent cough;
- Pain when breathing;
- Constant low fever;
- Night sweats.
It is recommended to consult a pulmonologist whenever tuberculosis is suspected, especially when there is some type of persistent cough that does not improve and is accompanied by night sweats.
In most cases, the doctor recommends the use of some antibiotics with the aim of eliminating the bacteria and which should be taken even if there are no symptoms. Discover the 4X1 treatment against tuberculosis.
How much time does the treatment last
Treatment time varies from 6 months to 1 year and should not be interrupted, as it may result in bacterial resistance, resurgence of the disease or development of complications, in addition to being able to transmit the disease to other people.
Is tuberculosis contagious?
After 15 to 30 days of starting treatment, the person diagnosed with tuberculosis is no longer contagious, and it is no longer necessary for treatment to be carried out in hospitalization and isolation.
Symptoms usually improve after the second month of treatment, but even so, medication use must be continued until laboratory results are negative or the doctor discontinues the medication.
In the case of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, in which the bacteria reaches other parts of the body, such as bones and intestines, for example, contagion does not occur and the patient can be treated close to other people.
When to get the vaccine?
One of the ways to prevent tuberculosis is through the BCG vaccine, which must be administered in the first month of life. Vaccination is the only way to prevent the most serious forms of tuberculosis. Find out more about the BCG vaccine.
