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Took Medication For PTB. X-ray Done. Continue Rifampicin, Isonizid. Possibility Of Bacteria To Return?
hi doc i had my ptb last december i take my medication after 2 months i will xray again and the resultis. lung fields are clear.heart is normal in size and shape.daiphragm and chest bones are not remarkkable?but my doctor says i will contenue my midication of rifampicin and isonizid for 6 months.theres is possible thar the bacteria come again when i stop taking rifamficin and izonizid as of now?
Wed, 24 Apr 2013
HI junjiemovera,
Thanks for visiting HCM.
Pulmonary TB is caused by some sort of tougher bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis needing 6 months of treatment to get it fully removed from the body. X-ray resolution of the lesion or symptomatic improvement, which begin as early as after 15 days of treatment, doesn't mean that treatment has to be stopped.
If treatment is stopped prematurely there is likelihood of the recurrence of the disease. Not only this there is also chances of developing multi -drug resistant infection and if it happens, treatment duration, cost, side effect increases.
Its my humble request to you that please kindly continue the 6 months of therapy..
Best wishes
Thanks for visiting HCM.
Pulmonary TB is caused by some sort of tougher bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis needing 6 months of treatment to get it fully removed from the body. X-ray resolution of the lesion or symptomatic improvement, which begin as early as after 15 days of treatment, doesn't mean that treatment has to be stopped.
If treatment is stopped prematurely there is likelihood of the recurrence of the disease. Not only this there is also chances of developing multi -drug resistant infection and if it happens, treatment duration, cost, side effect increases.
Its my humble request to you that please kindly continue the 6 months of therapy..
Best wishes
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User's Response
Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta's
Response
Hello,
Treatment for TB lasts for at least six months because the germs that cause tuberculosis can live for a long time in the body. You must therefore continue to take the medication as prescribed by your doctor, even if you are feeling better after a few weeks of treatment.
If you leave treatment in between,you could become even sicker. Some germs might survive, and they will have become resistant to the medications. It would then be very difficult to find medication strong enough to cure you.
So never stop the treatment and take it regularly for at least six months or as advised by your doctor.
Thanks
Treatment for TB lasts for at least six months because the germs that cause tuberculosis can live for a long time in the body. You must therefore continue to take the medication as prescribed by your doctor, even if you are feeling better after a few weeks of treatment.
If you leave treatment in between,you could become even sicker. Some germs might survive, and they will have become resistant to the medications. It would then be very difficult to find medication strong enough to cure you.
So never stop the treatment and take it regularly for at least six months or as advised by your doctor.
Thanks
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