Tuberculosis: What You Should Know - December 1, 2005

December 1, 2005 Table of Contents

Please note: This information was as current as we could make it on the date given above. But medical information is always changing, and some information given here may be out of date. For regularly updated information on a variety of health topics, please visit familydoctor.org, the AAFP patient education Web site.

Information from Your Family Doctor

Tuberculosis: What You Should Know

Am Fam Physician.�2005�Dec�1;72(11):2235.

What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (say: too-bur-cue-LO-sis), or TB for short, is an infection caused by a germ. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can spread to other parts of the body. It is spread from one person to another by coughing.

Who gets TB and why?

Most people in the United States have a low risk of getting TB. Your risk is higher if you have been around someone who has TB, are from a minority ethnic group, were not born in the United States, or have HIV, AIDS, diabetes, kidney failure, cancer, or a drug or alcohol problem. Children younger than four years and people who live in nursing homes, mental institutions, or jails also have a higher risk of getting TB.

How is TB treated?

If you have TB, your doctor may work with the local health department to take care of you. You probably will take several medicines at once. After a few months, you may be able to stop taking some of the medicines. Most people will need to take medicines for six to nine months before they get well.

What if I forget to take my medicines?

It is very important to take all of your medicines every day. Talk to your doctor if you have trouble remembering to take your medicines. Some things that might help you remember are: setting an alarm on your watch, hanging a note on the bathroom mirror or refrigerator, using a special pill box, or asking a family member or friend to remind you.

Are there any side effects of treatment?

Most people can take medicines for TB without any problems. If you have side effects that bother you, tell your doctor. There are usually other medicines that your doctor can give you. Do not stop taking your medicines unless your doctor tells you it’s okay.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor

Your local health department

American Lung Association

Web site: http://www.lungusa.org

Telephone: 1-800-548-8252

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Web site: http://www.cdc.gov

Telephone: 1-800-311-3435

This handout is provided to you by your family doctor and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Other health-related information is available from the AAFP online at http://familydoctor.org.

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

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