Tuberculosis can be cured completely by medication, but only if you take prescribed tablets regularly and for the whole course - that is, every day, for six to nine months, depending on how serious it is. Do not stop because you are feeling well again. Only stop when your doctor tells you it is safe to do so. If you are worried about your symptoms or your treatment, speak to your doctor.
Remember: never miss taking your tablets
If you forget to take your tablets in the morning, take them later in the day. Do not let yourself run out of tablets. Get a new supply before they are finished.
Side effects
One of the tablets commonly used to treat TB discolours urine and gives it an orange-red colour. Soft contact lenses may also be permanently discoloured. Tablets used to treat TB do not usually cause any problems, but if you develop jaundice (yellowness around the eyes and on the skin), a rash, feelings of sickness, itchiness, giddiness, difficulty in seeing or experience pins and needles consult your doctor at once. If it is one of the tablets that is upsetting you, it may be necessary to change your treatment.
Home or hospital?
Many people have all their treatment at home, but others may be admitted to hospital for the first week or so, particularly if they are very ill at the time they are found to have TB, or if they are thought to be highly infectious to other people. When somebody is being treated at home for TB, there is no need for special measures, such as separate dishes or cutlery.
If receiving hospital treatment, most people have to attend every three or four weeks at first, and then less frequently until the treatment is finished. Many clinics will then see you once or twice a year, for two years, after you complete the treatment.
Returning to work
This should be discussed with the specialist in charge of your treatment and your GP. Sometimes the TB is so mild that the individual is never off work. Others may need to stay off work until they are no longer infectious, or until they feel strong enough to return to full activity. Provided you take the tablets regularly, you can expect a full recovery and your employers should be told this.
Further information
You can contact our Environmental Health Team using the contact details in the right-hand menu.