Tuberculosis Treatment
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics. It usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Treatment for TB includes a combination of chemotherapy drugs to kill the bacteria in the body and keep them from returning. The length of treatment depends on how severe a patient’s case is and whether they are infected with drug-resistant strains of TB, which are more challenging to cure than regular strains. Ideally, patients complete six months or longer of chemotherapy to ensure that all bacteria are eliminated before stopping treatment entirely.
As a result, patients have low lymphocyte levels for long periods. This can cause fever, weight loss, night sweats, and fatigue. If they have TB, a doctor will likely recommend getting an injection of gamma globulin (a blood product) once a month while undergoing chemotherapy to boost their immune system.
