health

Primary tuberculosis People with primary tuberculosis who are in
high-risk groups for developing active TB may be given medication to
help ward off the illness. This treatment is called preventive therapy. People
under age 35 with primary tuberculosis who are not in high-risk groups also
may benefit from preventive therapy. The goal is to kill the bacteria that are
not doing any harm now but that could cause active TB in the future. The
medication usually given for this purpose is called isoniazid (INH). To kill
these bacteria, however, INH must be taken every day for 6 to 12 months.

Secondary (active) tuberculosis Secondary (active) tuberculosis
can often be cured with medication. People with secondary TB usually
take several different drugs because doing so is more effective at killing all
the bacteria and preventing the formation of resistant bacteria that cannot
be killed by drugs.
Although they usually feel better after a few weeks of treatment, people
with active TB must continue to take their medication correctly for
the full length of the treatment or they can become sick again. Because
people with tuberculosis of the lungs or throat can spread the infection
to others, they need to stay home from school or work until they are no
longer infectious to others, which usually takes several weeks.
People with tuberculosis who are sick enough to go to the hospital
may be put in a special room with an air vent system that keeps the bacteria
from spreading. Doctors, nurses, and others who work in such rooms
must wear special facemasks to protect themselves from breathing the
bacteria.