A Roadmap to
Targeted Cure

TB spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. Prevention strategies include: good ventilation (TB bacteria don't survive well in well-ventilated spaces), avoiding close prolonged contact with infected individuals, wearing masks, and BCG vaccination (particularly effective in children). For those with latent TB, preventive treatment can stop progression to active disease.

Latent TB means you have TB bacteria in your body but they're inactive, causing no symptoms and not being contagious. About 25% of the world's population has latent TB. Without treatment, 5-10% of latent TB cases will progress to active TB, usually within the first two years after infection. Active TB means the bacteria are multiplying, causing symptoms and being contagious. Treatment for latent TB (usually 3-4 months) is much shorter and simpler than active TB treatment (6-9 months).

TB bacteria divide slowly and can become dormant, making them harder to kill. Treatment requires multiple antibiotics over extended periods to: kill actively multiplying bacteria (first 2 months), eliminate remaining bacteria and prevent resistance (next 4-7 months), and ensure complete eradication to prevent relapse. Shortening treatment leads to treatment failure and drug resistance. The full course is essential even if you feel better, as stopping early can cause the bacteria to develop resistance.

Common side effects include: liver enzyme elevation (monitored monthly), orange/red body fluids from Rifampicin (harmless), joint pain from Pyrazinamide, vision changes from Ethambutol (rare with proper dosing), and peripheral neuropathy from Isoniazid (prevented with vitamin B6 supplementation). Serious side effects requiring immediate attention include: jaundice, severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, skin rashes, and visual disturbances. Report all symptoms to your healthcare provider promptly.

MDR-TB (Multi-Drug Resistant TB) is resistant to at least Isoniazid and Rifampicin, the two most powerful TB drugs. It develops when TB treatment is incomplete or irregular, allowing bacteria to develop resistance. MDR-TB requires 18-24 months of treatment with second-line drugs that are less effective, more toxic, and more expensive. XDR-TB (Extensively Drug Resistant) is MDR-TB plus resistance to fluoroquinolones and injectables, making it extremely difficult to treat. Prevention through complete treatment of drug-susceptible TB is crucial.

Yes, TB can affect virtually any organ. Extrapulmonary TB is more common in children and immunocompromised individuals. Common forms include: Lymph node TB (most common extrapulmonary form), Pleural TB (lining of lungs), Pott's Disease (spine TB causing back pain and deformity), Genitourinary TB (kidneys, bladder, reproductive organs), TB Meningitis (brain lining - medical emergency), Gastrointestinal TB (intestines, peritoneum), and Skin TB. Diagnosis often requires biopsy and specialized testing. Treatment principles are similar but may require longer duration.

Untreated TB in pregnancy poses significant risks including: maternal complications (severe disease, respiratory failure), fetal risks (low birth weight, premature birth, intrauterine growth restriction), and perinatal transmission. TB is treatable during pregnancy with most first-line medications being safe. Treatment should not be delayed as untreated TB is more dangerous than medication effects. Isoniazid, Rifampicin, and Ethambutol are considered safe; Pyrazinamide use varies by country guidelines. All newborns of TB mothers should be screened and given preventive treatment if needed.

DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course) is the WHO-recommended strategy for TB control. It involves: Direct observation of each dose by a healthcare worker or trained volunteer, standardized treatment regimens, regular drug supply, and monitoring/ reporting systems. DOTS ensures treatment adherence, prevents development of drug resistance, and tracks treatment outcomes. It's been instrumental in improving global TB cure rates. Our center implements enhanced DOTS with additional nutritional support, counseling, and contact tracing.