Tuberculosis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Tuberculosis is also called TB. It is an infection that starts in the lungs and may spread to other parts of the body. The lungs are two hollow organs in your chest. TB is caused by a germ called Mycobacteria tuberculosis. These germs are spread in the air from person to person by coughing or sneezing. Symptoms include coughing for more than three weeks, blood in the sputum (phlegm), or chest pain with breathing. You may also have shortness of breath, no appetite, unexplained weight loss, low-grade fever, and night sweats.
  
  
• It is called a latent TB infection if you have TB without symptoms. If you have symptoms, the disease is called active TB. Whether you have latent or active TB, it needs to be treated with medicines for 6 to 12 months or longer. If TB is not treated completely, it can damage your lungs and other parts of the body. The only cure for TB is to take all your medicines as directed by your caregiver.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

• You must complete your treatment until you are cured of TB, even if you do not feel sick.
  
  
• It is very important that you take your TB medicines exactly as your caregiver tells you. If you skip or stop your pills, TB germs will not be killed. You will always have TB germs in your body unless you correctly take all your medicines.
  
  
• Your caregiver must report all TB cases to the health department. This helps protect others from getting TB. It also helps you get the care you need to cure your TB.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

• You must have regular follow-up to make sure the medicine is working. It is very important that you keep all your appointments. Tell your caregiver if you do not feel well or you do not feel the medicines are working. You may have any of the following at your follow-up visits:
  
  
  • Your weight, temperature, and lungs will be checked.
    
    
  • A chest x-ray may be done to see how your lungs are healing.
    
    
  • You may be asked for a sputum (phlegm) sample. It will be tested to see if you are coughing up any TB germs and whether the pills are working.
  
  

How can I remember to take my medicines? TB can only be cured by taking your medicines exactly as caregivers tell you. This may not be easy because you will be taking your medicines for a long time. Following are some ways to remember to take your medicines:

• Get involved in the directly observed therapy or DOT program. Ask your caregiver for more information about the program.
  
  
• Ask someone else, such as a family member or a friend, to remind you to take your pills.
  
  
• Take your pills at the same time every day. Each night, put out the pills for the next day.
  
  
• Mark on a calendar each day you take your pills.
  
  
• Keep the pills in a place where you cannot miss them, such as the bathroom or kitchen. Be sure they are out of reach of children.
  
  
• If you forget to take your pills one time, skip that dose and take the next scheduled dose. Write down that you missed a dose and tell your caregiver at your next visit.

How can I keep from spreading TB? To keep from spreading TB, it is very important that you do the following:

• The most important way to keep from spreading TB is to take all your medicines exactly as your caregivers told you.
  
  
• Keep all of your follow-up appointments. Your caregivers need to see how you are doing.
  
  
• If you are too sick with active TB, go to a hospital.
  
  
• Avoid close contact with others, especially babies and elderly people.
  
  
• Always cover your mouth and nose with a paper tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the used tissue away. If possible, flush used tissues down a toilet.
  
  
• Always wash your hands with soap and water after you cough or sneeze.
  
  
• Family members, close friends, and co-workers should have a TB skin test. They may have gotten the TB germ without being sick. To keep from getting TB, these contacts may need to take medicines.

Wellness hints:

• You may feel like resting more. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed.
  
  
• Eat healthy foods from all of the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, meat, and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy. It may also help you heal faster.

For support and more information: Having TB is a life-changing disease for you and your family. Accepting that you have TB is hard. You and those close to you may feel sad, worried, and frightened. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a support group with other people who have TB. Ask your caregiver for contact information for support groups. Call or write one of the following organizations for more information:

• CDC National Prevention Information Network
  PO Box 6003
  Rockville, MD 20849-6003
  Phone: 1-800-4585231
  Web Address: http://www.cdcnpin.org
  

• American Thoracic Society
  61 Broadway
  New York, NY 10006-2755
  Phone: 1-212-315-8600
  Web Address: www.thoracic.org
  

• World Health Organization
  Web Address: www.who.int
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have any problems that may be caused by the medicines you are taking. Tell your caregiver if you have a skin rash, nausea, vomiting, or your eyes or skin are yellow. Call your caregiver if your urine looks like dark tea or coffee.
  
  
• Your TB symptoms do not go away or get worse, even if you are taking your TB medicines.
  
  
• Anyone who spent time near you gets symptoms of TB. Symptoms include fever, not wanting to eat, losing weight, night sweats, or cough. These people will need to be tested for TB.
  
  
• You have a cough that does not go away after 3 or 4 weeks following a cold.
  
  
• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have questions about your condition and your medicines.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have chest pain or cough up blood.
  
  
• You have trouble breathing.
  
  
• You have a fever, headache, and a stiff neck.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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