Tuberculosis (TB): Home Treatment

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Home Treatment

Home treatment for tuberculosis (TB) focuses on taking the medications correctly to reduce the risk of developing multidrug-resistant TB. Keep all your medical appointments, take your medications as prescribed, and report any side effects of the medications, especially vision problems. If you plan to move during the time that you are being treated, let your health professional know so that arrangements can be made for you to continue the treatment.

Home treatment includes:

• Not going to work or school while you can spread the TB infection. Sleep in a bedroom by yourself until you can no longer infect other people.
• Opening windows in a room where you must stay for a while, if the weather allows it. This can help get rid of TB bacteria from the air in the room.
• Eating a balanced diet to provide your body with the nutrients that you need to fight the infection. If you need help, ask to talk with a registered dietitian.
• Covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Until you have been on antibiotics for about 2 weeks, you can easily spread the disease to others. After coughing, dispose of the soiled tissue in a covered container. Talk with your health professional about other precautions you can take to prevent the spread of TB.

If you have been exposed to TB

If you live with someone who has active TB or you know that you have been exposed to someone who has the disease, see your health professional for testing. A tuberculin skin test (also called a TB skin test, PPD test, or Mantoux test) that indicates a TB infection means you need treatment to prevent active TB.

Last updated:	May 16, 2007
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Reviewed By:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Alfred A. Lardizabal, MD - Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine/Tuberculosis
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC