Last Updated on February 9, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Tuberculosis is a serious condition that affects the lungs. One of the common symptoms of the disease is excessive coughing. The available data shows that India is a major contributor to tuberculosis. The World Health Organization (WHO) website, the World Bank website, and the Global Tuberculosis Report (2021) have shown that India has a serious tuberculosis epidemic. In India, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW) runs the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme to treat the disease across the country through the government health system. People can read the regular updates in the Nikshay Report and Nikshay Patrika magazine made so far in controlling the spread of tuberculosis. In this article, we will discuss whether there is a cure for tuberculosis and if it can reoccur.
Can tuberculosis be cured completely?
Yes. Tuberculosis can be cured if proper treatment is followed. The available evidence shows that tuberculosis is treated with antibiotics. Doctors often prescribe isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide.
In the case of drug-resistant tuberculosis, doctors can recommend fluoroquinolones and injectable medications such as amikacin or capreomycin. Doctors also recommend bedaquiline and linezolid to treat the condition. It is essential to complete the course of antibiotics as it reduces the chance of relapse.
Can tuberculosis reoccur?
Yes. Tuberculosis can reoccur in the lack of proper treatment during the first time. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria can repopulate within the body if not killed during the initial treatment.
The chance of recurrence increases when the complete course of antibiotics is not followed for the duration specified by the doctor. But the infection can also occur if a person has completed an ineffective treatment or if the person has a repeat infection by tuberculosis bacteria.
According to a study published in 2012, the recurrence of tuberculosis is not common in patients who undergo an effective treatment.
Although the reason for a greater risk of tuberculosis is not clear in these people, another study published in 2012 shows a lower immunity or coinfection with HIV-AIDS further increases the risk of tuberculosis.
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