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Tuberculosis Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, November 2008.

Answers to questions about tuberculosis

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

Can multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) be treated?

Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) can often be successfully treated with a combination of anti-TB drugs.

Explanation

The bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB) can occasionally become resistant to antibiotics. This makes it much more dangerous because it is difficult to treat. However, MDR-TB can generally be treated with a combination of anti-TB drugs.

There are lots of different types of anti-TB drugs. Some are given by injection but tablets are also used. Anti-TB drugs can cause several side-effects, such as making you feel tired or ill. They may also cause dizziness, hearing difficulties or liver problems. A course of treatment for MDR-TB can last for as long as two years.

Your treatment will be carefully monitored by doctors in hospital. Active TB can spread to other people so you will be treated in a separate room until you are no longer infectious. This usually takes about two weeks of treatment.

Further information

Sources

  • Tuberculosis. World Health Organisation. www.who.int, accessed 20 May 2008
  • Tuberculosis: Information for the public. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). www.nice.org.uk, accessed 22 May 2008
  • Joint Formulary Committee, British National Formulary. 55th ed. London: British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, 2008: 312
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I have been vaccinated against tuberculosis (TB) but it was a long time ago. Do I need a booster?

No. You can only have the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination once.

Explanation

The BCG vaccination usually protects you from TB for at least 15 years. There isn't much information available on how well it works after that, but it may become less effective as time goes on. However, repeat BCG vaccinations aren't recommended because there is no proof that they give extra protection against TB.

After having a BCG vaccine, you might develop an allergic rash on the arm, or a small ulcer where you were injected. This may take weeks or even months to heal, and it may leave a scar. A second BCG vaccination would also cause this reaction but there's a risk that it could be more severe.

Further information

Sources

  • Tuberculosis. British Lung Foundation. www.lunguk.org, accessed 21 May 2008
  • The vaccines - BCG - FAQs. NHS Immunisation Information. www.immunisation.nhs.uk, accessed 28 May 2008
  • Immunisation against infectious disease - 'The Green Book'. Department of Health. www.dh.gov.uk, accessed 23 May 2008
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I think I may have been exposed to tuberculosis (TB). What should I do?

You should contact your GP as soon as possible.

Explanation

TB is only infectious when it affects the lungs. Close day-to-day contact with an infected person is usually needed for the infection to spread. This is most likely if you live or work closely with somebody who is infected, or if you have a partner who is infected. If you have only been briefly exposed to someone with TB of the lungs then it's unlikely that you have caught it.

If you think that you have been in close contact with somebody who is infected then you will need to be tested for TB. You will be given a skin test and sometimes a blood test. This may be followed by a chest X-ray. If you are diagnosed with TB, you will be given anti-TB antibiotics to treat it. You may be offered a BCG vaccination if necessary.

Further information

Sources

  • Tuberculosis Facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov, accessed 10 June 2008
  • Factsheet on Tuberculosis. Health Protection Agency. www.hpa.org.uk, accessed 21 May 2008
  • Tuberculosis (TB). American Lung Association. www.lungusa.org, accessed 22 May 2008
  • Tuberculosis: Information for the public. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). www.nice.org.uk, accessed 22 May 2008
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Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: November 2008

 

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