Pulmonary tuberculosis

Alternative names:

TB; tuberculosis - pulmonary

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to cure the infection with antitubercular drugs. Daily oral doses of rifampin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide (or occasionally others) are continued for 1 year. For atypical tuberculosis infections, or drug-resistant strains, other drugs may be indicated to treat the infection. Treatment of tuberculosis is accomplished with multiple medications.

Hospitalization is indicated to prevent the spread of the disease to others until the infectious period is over, usually 2 to 4 weeks after the start of therapy. Normal activity can be continued after the infectious period.

Rest, a healthy environment (clean dry air), stress reduction and a good diet, factors normally considered conducive to good health, improve the speed and response to treatment.

Support groups:

The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See lung disease - support group.

Expectations (prognosis):

Symptoms may improve in 2 to 3 weeks, with improvement seen in the chest X-ray lagging behind clinical improvement.

Complications:

All medications used to treat TB have some toxicity. Rifampin and isoniazid may both cause a noninfectious hepatitis. Rifampin may also cause an orange or brown coloration of tears and urine.

Other complications include drug resistance to particular TB strains and a relapse of the disease in some patients.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have been exposed to tuberculosis, or if symptoms of TB develop.

Call your health care provider if symptoms persist despite treatment.

Also call if new symptoms develop, including indications that complications are developing.

Updated Date: 02/09/00

Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial