Treatment of Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs with symptoms of chronic cough, night sweats, fever, and weight loss. Drug-resistant TB is a growing global health threat requiring prolonged combination antibiotic therapy.
Managing Tuberculosis (TB) effectively requires a combination of medical treatment, lifestyle modification, and regular monitoring. With a structured management plan, most people with Tuberculosis (TB) can maintain a good quality of life and prevent serious complications.
First-Line Treatment Principles
- ✓Identify and address triggers (allergens, occupational exposures, smoking)
- ✓Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) is cornerstone of persistent asthma management
- ✓Short-acting bronchodilator (SABA/SAMA) for rescue symptom relief
- ✓Stepwise therapy escalation: ICS → ICS/LABA → add-on biologics if severe
- ✓Pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD (GOLD stage B/C/D)
What to Do Now
- Learn your personal risk factors for Tuberculosis (TB) (family history, age, lifestyle)
- Attend regular health check-ups and screening tests appropriate for your age and risk
- Track new or changing symptoms, especially those associated with Tuberculosis (TB)
- Use our AI symptom checker to assess whether your symptoms fit an early Tuberculosis (TB) pattern
- Discuss preventive strategies and early monitoring with your GP
- Build a personalised management plan with your GP or specialist
- Adhere consistently to prescribed medications — do not stop without medical advice
- Adopt a Tuberculosis (TB)-appropriate diet (anti-inflammatory, low-glycaemic, or disease-specific)
Medications Used in Tuberculosis (TB)
Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat serious gram-negative bacterial infections, typically in hospital settings.
Amikacin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat serious gram-negative bacterial infections, typically in hospital settings.
Tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat serious gram-negative bacterial infections, typically in hospital settings.
Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat serious gram-negative bacterial infections, typically in hospital settings.
Metronidazole is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections by inhibiting bacterial growth or killing bacteria.
Trimethoprim is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections by inhibiting bacterial growth or killing bacteria.
Co Trimoxazole is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections by inhibiting bacterial growth or killing bacteria.
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections by inhibiting bacterial growth or killing bacteria.
Non-Pharmacological Management
- •Smoking cessation — single most effective intervention in COPD (slows FEV1 decline)
- •Trigger avoidance: dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mould, cold air, NSAIDs
- •Annual influenza vaccination; pneumococcal vaccination in high-risk patients
- •Pulmonary rehabilitation: supervised exercise + education programme
- •Breathing techniques (pursed-lip breathing, diaphragmatic breathing) for COPD
- •Optimise nutritional status; treat obesity as it worsens respiratory mechanics
- •Supplemental oxygen if SpO2 <88% at rest or <92% with significant desaturation on exertion
Treatment Goals
Monitoring Parameters
- ◆Spirometry (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC): baseline and annually in COPD; assessment after treatment changes
- ◆Peak expiratory flow (PEF): self-monitoring in asthma (symptom-based or twice daily)
- ◆Oxygen saturation (SpO2): with exacerbations or progressive disease
- ◆Symptom scores: ACQ/ACT (asthma), CAT/mMRC (COPD) at each visit
- ◆Exacerbation frequency: a key driver of treatment escalation in both asthma and COPD
- ◆Inhaler technique review at every clinical encounter
Red Flags — When to Escalate
- ⚠Any of the characteristic symptoms of Tuberculosis (TB) — even mild — in a high-risk individual
- ⚠Progressive worsening of early warning signs over weeks
- ⚠Laboratory abnormalities (e.g., blood sugar, inflammatory markers) without full symptoms
- ⚠Unexplained weight loss, night sweats, or fatigue persisting >2 weeks
- ⚠Strong family history of Tuberculosis (TB) combined with new relevant symptoms
- ⚠Sudden worsening of Tuberculosis (TB) symptoms despite established treatment
Escalation Criteria
- →Severe acute asthma: PEFR <50% best → hospitalisation, IV corticosteroids, nebulised bronchodilators
- →COPD acute exacerbation: worsening dyspnoea + purulent sputum → antibiotics + systemic corticosteroids
- →Inadequate control on ICS/LABA → consider add-on LAMA, biologics (severe eosinophilic asthma), or specialist referral
- →New respiratory failure (PaO2 <8 kPa, rising CO2) → urgent hospital assessment
Special Populations
Clinical Insights
Compare With Similar Conditions
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