TB is treated with a combination of antibiotics, generally lasting six to nine months. The treatment is longer for patients with certain chronic conditions, side effects or drug resistance.

For the first two months, you are likely to take these four antibiotics: rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol and pyrazinamide.

If your treatment progresses normally, the number of antibiotics may be reduced after 2 months.

Myth: Once I feel better, I can stop taking TB medicines.

This is not true. Even when you feel better after the first few weeks of treatment, there are still germs left in your body. If they are not destroyed, they can lead to the

• relapse of TB disease, and/or the
• development of drug-resistant TB, which is more dangerous.

If you develop drug-resistant TB, the TB germs you spread to your loved ones and other people you interact with regularly are the drug-resistant type.

Complete the entire course of treatment as directed by your physician to ensure your complete recovery from TB and the safety of the people around you.

What is drug resistance?

Germs have powerful strategies to survive.

When you miss taking your medicine, the TB germs in your body get a chance to start growing again. The more germs produced, the higher the chances are that some of these new germs have special mutated genes protecting them from the antibiotics you are eating.

These drug-resistant germs can now freely multiply in your body because the most effective TB medicines you take cannot kill them.

The second line drugs prescribed for drug-resistant TB have three disadvantages:

• They may require a longer duration of treatment, sometimes up to 20 months.
• They are more complex and may cause more side effects.
• Chances of recovery are reduced.

Why do I need to come to appointments so often?

This is so that the doctor can assess your treatment progress and well-being.

At every visit, your weight is taken to ensure you continue to receive optimal drug doses. Your visual acuity is also checked so early action can be taken if your vision is affected.

Can I skip the medicines if I am not feeling well?

Do not skip a dose on your own. Seek the advice of your healthcare provider if you are unwell, so you do not miss doses unnecessarily and increase your risk of drug resistance.

Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) - Ensuring Your Full Recovery

DOT involves taking TB medications while being observed by a healthcare worker at public health polyclinics nationwide.

Why is DOT Necessary?

DOT improves treatment adherence, reduces relapse and prevents drug-resistant TB. It

• ensures patients take the correct dose of medication regularly to prevent relapses and drug-resistant TB, and
• enables nurses to act promptly if side effects are experienced to ensure the safety of patients.