Prevention & Treatment for Tuberculosis
{script_date format="%m/%d/%Y"}Prevention & Treatment for Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium
tuberculosis. This bacteria primarily infects the lungs, although other
parts of the body can be infected. Signs and symptoms include fever,
chest pain, cough, and muscle aches. Tuberculosis can be transmitted
from person-to-person through coughing or sneezing. The spread of tuberculosis
can be prevented by early detection and treatment of infected
persons who have not yet developed active tuberculosis, but are infected
with a latent form of the disease. The tuberculin skin test is a
screening test that is commonly used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.
The test material is injected under the skin, and then the area is observed
for interpretation of results 2 or 3 days later. The TB test is typically
recommended for persons who may have been exposed to a person with
TB or people with symptoms of TB.
Medications for treatment of TB must be taken every day for six months
or longer. Initially, a combination of the following four drugs is recommended:
isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. These medications
are all bactericidal, and work to kill the bacteria. Ethambutol is
more bacteriostatic, and works to prevent bacteria from multiplying.