TB and treatment

  • TB can be detected by tuberculin test (usually called the PPD or the Mantoux test), X-ray or a sputum test.

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the DOTS strategy (Direct Observed Treatment, Short-course) to control tuberculosis. Treatment under this strategy generally involves daily intake of several different medicines for a minimum of 6 months under observation of a health care worker.

Picture by Gary Hampton
  • To ensure full recovery patients should take all prescribed drugs for the designated period of time. However, many people don’t or can’t. This increases the risk of developing drug-resistant TB, which is very difficult or virtually impossible to treat. 
  • The worldwide costs of TB control are estimated to be $4.2 billion for 2009, with $3 billion available (mostly government funding) (WHO report, 2009), leaving a funding gap of more than $1 billion.