Tuberculosis, also known as TB, is a dangerous and extremely contagious disease. TB is caused by a bacterial infection of the lungs that spreads through the saliva and germs of an infected person. Not everyone who has TB is at risk of displaying symptoms and spreading the disease, and this is known as latent TB. However, if you are not treated, your condition can turn into active TB, where you are contagious and start showing typical TB symptoms.
The treatment plan is different for latent and active TB. Therefore, if you suspect you have TB, it’s important to seek a medical diagnosis so that you can start treatment. If you have an active tuberculosis condition in South Africa, here are the treatment options that are available to you.
Because TB is a bacterial infection of the lungs, it’s treated through the use of anti-bacterial medications. Other forms of treatment, such as surgery or medical procedures, typically are not effective at treating TB.
In most cases, one drug is not enough to treat tuberculosis. Instead, your medical provider will prescribe a combination of drugs that you must take religiously. Missing a single day of medicine or not taking the drugs as prescribed could reduce their effectiveness. Here are the most common anti-bacterial medications used to treat an active TB infection.
Isoniazid does not allow the bacterial walls of bacteria infected with TB to develop, thus preventing its growth.
Rifabutin works by killing bacteria and cells that are infected with tuberculosis.
Rifampin works by not allowing RNA polymerase to bind to infected bacterial cells, which then prevents those cells from developing, thus inhibiting the spread of TB.
As with rifabutin, rifapentine kills bacteria and cells that are infected with tuberculosis, which keeps it from spreading.
Ethambutol does not allow the bacterial walls of bacteria infected with TB to develop, thus preventing its growth.
Pyrazinamide works by killing bacteria and cells that are infected with tuberculosis.
On average, people with an active TB infection take several of these drugs every day for 4 to 9 months. However, if you have a rare form of drug-resistant TB, you will have to receive treatment for up to three years in extreme cases. It is important to start your treatment as quickly as possible so your doctor can determine which drug or combination of drugs you need to take.
While medications are the only way to treat TB, and not taking them could result in death, TB medications have many unwanted side effects.
Symptoms will vary from person to person, and you may require additional treatment and medications to cope with severe symptoms.
TB treatment is a strenuous and extreme process. While you are receiving treatment, you will need to have regular doctor’s appointments to monitor your progress. If the drugs are ineffective, you will need to change medications. Ongoing checkups are also important to ensure that you are not suffering too many ill effects as a result of the treatment.
It was not that long ago when an active TB infection was as good as a death sentence. Additionally, because of how contagious it was, TB could wipe out entire towns, villages, and populations. While treatment for TB can cause unwanted side effects, it is better than the alternative, which is spreading a deadly disease prior to passing away. Therefore, it is important to seek a medical diagnosis and treatment immediately if you are exhibiting signs of or have been exposed to tuberculosis.