How is tuberculosis treated?

Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
Updated on January 04, 2025
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The treatment of tuberculosis generally involves two aspects: etiological treatment and symptomatic management. Etiological treatment targets the tuberculosis bacteria with medication. Modern anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy regimens are quite mature, employing strategies such as early and combined use, appropriate dosing, regular administration, and full-course treatment, which result in a very high cure rate. Additionally, there is symptomatic management, for example, cough suppressants for patients with a cough, expectorants for those with excessive sputum, antipyretics if there is fever depending on the situation, and hemostatic drugs for patients coughing up blood, among others. The treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis is comprehensive and must be conducted under the guidance of a physician. It is crucial not to interrupt treatment casually to avoid affecting the effectiveness of the therapy, increasing the recurrence rate, and the emergence of drug resistance.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
38sec home-news-image

Does tuberculosis cause fever?

Does tuberculosis cause fever? The answer is definitely yes. Fever is one of the most common clinical manifestations of tuberculosis. Many tuberculosis patients experience low fevers, and a minority of patients, such as those with caseous tuberculosis or tuberculous pleurisy, may experience high fevers that can recur and persist. Moreover, tuberculosis patients may sometimes also have concurrent bacterial infections, which can cause the fever to last longer and be more difficult to control.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
1min 3sec home-news-image

Does tuberculosis cause fever in its initial stage?

Tuberculosis is caused by an infection of the lungs by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and it is a very common infectious respiratory disease clinically. Typically, the early stage of tuberculosis is accompanied by mild fever to varying degrees, usually occurring in the afternoon, along with coughing, expectoration of blood, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and even chest pain, weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats as accompanying clinical symptoms. In the early stages, the diagnosis of tuberculosis in patients is generally made through these specific clinical symptoms, along with some sputum culture and chest X-ray examinations. Usually, most patients with early-stage tuberculosis will experience symptoms of low-grade fever, but these patients have a characteristic of fever that occurs in the afternoon and does not require antipyretics as it can return to normal by itself in the evening.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
1min 3sec home-news-image

How is tuberculosis treated?

The treatment of tuberculosis generally involves two aspects: etiological treatment and symptomatic management. Etiological treatment targets the tuberculosis bacteria with medication. Modern anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy regimens are quite mature, employing strategies such as early and combined use, appropriate dosing, regular administration, and full-course treatment, which result in a very high cure rate. Additionally, there is symptomatic management, for example, cough suppressants for patients with a cough, expectorants for those with excessive sputum, antipyretics if there is fever depending on the situation, and hemostatic drugs for patients coughing up blood, among others. The treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis is comprehensive and must be conducted under the guidance of a physician. It is crucial not to interrupt treatment casually to avoid affecting the effectiveness of the therapy, increasing the recurrence rate, and the emergence of drug resistance.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
1min 10sec home-news-image

Can tuberculosis be cured completely?

Whether tuberculosis can be completely cured varies from person to person. Most cases of tuberculosis, especially initial occurrences of pulmonary tuberculosis, can be cured in more than 80 to 90 percent of patients if they undergo standardized anti-tuberculosis treatment. However, it is essential that the treatment is standardized; it is not appropriate to simply take medication for one or two months and then stop when symptoms seem to disappear. The treatment duration for pulmonary tuberculosis is considered to be at least six months, and for some patients, it may even extend to a year. However, not all cases of pulmonary tuberculosis can be completely cured. A small percentage of patients may not achieve complete eradication due to resistance to tuberculosis bacteria or intolerance to the side effects of tuberculosis medications. In such cases, the prognosis might be poor, and some individuals may succumb to tuberculosis due to these factors.

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Written by Han Jian Hua
Infectious Disease
1min 19sec home-news-image

Can tuberculosis be cured?

Early diagnosis and standard treatment can often cure tuberculosis. Tuberculosis requires anti-tuberculosis treatment. Effective anti-tuberculosis treatment must follow five principles: early intervention, proper dosage, combination therapy, regular administration, and full-course treatment to ensure thorough treatment. Consistency is crucial; one must not stop taking medication, substitute drugs, or alter dosages on their own, as doing so not only makes it difficult to cure the disease but also increases the risk of developing drug resistance and complicates treatment further. Additionally, it is important to supplement nutrition appropriately and maintain a healthy diet in daily life. Since tuberculosis is a chronic, debilitating disease, it is advisable to consume foods rich in calories, proteins, and vitamins. Ensuring adequate rest and sleep is vital. Engaging in moderate physical activities, such as outdoor exercises, while avoiding strenuous activities and factors that could exacerbate conditions, such as overexertion, exposure to cold, and catching a cold, is also important.