How to Control Tuberculosis

The bacteria that causes tuberculosis can live in the body without making you sick or causing various life-threatening problems. There are two types of tuberculosis: latent and active. Latent tuberculosis isn't contagious and does not have any symptoms. Active tuberculosis is contagious and causes loss of appetite, fatigue, fever and night sweats. Signs that tuberculosis is attacking the lungs include prolonged coughing that lasts several weeks, chest pain or coughing up blood.

Things You'll Need

• Isoniazid
• Pyrazinamide
• Rifampicin
• Ethambutol

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Instructions

• 1

  Take isoniazid once a day to control latent tuberculosis. According to MedlinePlus, isoniazid is prescribed by a doctor for people who have either been exposed to tuberculosis or currently have the condition. The drug only prevents active bacteria from growing. Nonactive bacteria that is resting must be treated with this drug for a prolonged period of time between 6 and 12 months. Side effects may include liver damage, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, brown urine and the yellowing of skin. Call you doctor immediately if you experience a fever, stomach tenderness or a rash while taking the medication.

• 2

  Treat active tuberculosis with a combination of four types of drugs: rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. Active tuberculosis is treated with drugs containing a variety of antibiotics so that the bacteria does not become resistant to the treatment. For example, Rifater is prescribed because it contains isoniazid, pyrazinamide and rifampin. According to the Mayo Clinic, another drug called Priftin may be prescribed during the first four months of treatment. The side effects associated with all of these drugs are one of the biggest downfalls of tuberculosis treatment. Rifampin may reduce the effectiveness of birth control. Pyrazinamide can lead to nausea and lack of appetite. Ethambutol can cause blurriness and visual difficulties. Contact your doctor immediately if you have any serious side effects.

• 3

  Maintain a consistent routine for taking the drugs. Be sure that you do not skip a dose by setting an alarm every day on your phone or watch. Even after a couple of weeks of treatment, you may begin to feel better and be tempted to stop treatment. Avoid the temptation. Tuberculosis, when not treated properly, can come back and no longer respond to drug therapy.

• 4

  Stay home if you have active tuberculosis. Bed rest is not only important to keep a healthy immune system for treating the disease, but tuberculosis is contagious. Open windows to ventilate your home. Avoid sleeping in the same room as anyone else or having any contact with family members. Treatment takes two to three weeks before you are not contagious. Take some time to get enough rest and allow the medication to work.

• 5

  Cure drug-resistant tuberculosis with surgery. When the bacteria that causes tuberculosis does not respond to drug combinations, your doctor may try a more invasive approach to controlling the disease. During surgery, lung damage is repaired and pockets of the bacteria are taken out. Although rare, this form of treatment is essential for tuberculosis therapy when the bacteria refuses to stop growing after months of drug use. If the bacteria has spread to other areas of the body, surgery is required to remove the bacteria.