TB disease can be treated by taking anti-tuberculosis drugs for 6 to 12 months or longer. It is very important that people who have TB disease finish this medicine, and take their drugs exactly as ordered. If they stop taking the drugs too soon, they can become sick again; if they do not take the drugs correctly, the germs that are STILL alive may become resistant to those drugs. TB that is resistant to drugs is harder and more expensive to treat.

In Mississippi the local health department staff meets regularly with patients who have TB to watch them take their medications. This is called directly observed therapy (DOT). DOT helps the PATIENT complete treatment in the least amount of time. Treatment is usually divided into two phases: the initial phase and the CONTINUATION phase. The initial phase begins with four drugs given daily for fourteen consecutive DAYS. The remainder of the initial phase (usually about 2 months) may be daily or twice weekly depending on the patient's drug tolerance and the extent of the disease or the patient's other conditions. The continuation phase typically will last an additional 4 to 7 months with not less than 2 drugs. Laboratory testing is performed at regular INTERVALS or as needed to monitor the patient’s progress and drug tolerance.

TB disease can be treated by taking anti-tuberculosis drugs for 6 to 12 months or longer. It is very important that people who have TB disease finish this medicine, and take their drugs exactly as ordered. If they stop taking the drugs too soon, they can become sick again; if they do not take the drugs correctly, the germs that are still alive may become resistant to those drugs. TB that is resistant to drugs is harder and more expensive to treat.

In Mississippi the local health department staff meets regularly with patients who have TB to watch them take their medications. This is called directly observed therapy (DOT). DOT helps the patient complete treatment in the least amount of time. Treatment is usually divided into two phases: the initial phase and the continuation phase. The initial phase begins with four drugs given daily for fourteen consecutive days. The remainder of the initial phase (usually about 2 months) may be daily or twice weekly depending on the patient's drug tolerance and the extent of the disease or the patient's other conditions. The continuation phase typically will last an additional 4 to 7 months with not less than 2 drugs. Laboratory testing is performed at regular intervals or as needed to monitor the patient’s progress and drug tolerance.