What is the standard treatment for latent TB infection?

A course of antibiotic medicine will treat latent TB. You may be given Rifampicin and Isoniazid for three months (which may be together in a tablet called Rifinah) or Isoniazid by itself for six months. Your doctor or TB specialist nurse will talk you through the treatment and answer any questions you may have.

Does latent tuberculosis go away?

Many people who have latent TB infection never develop TB disease. In these people, the TB bacteria remain inactive for a lifetime without causing disease. But in other people, especially people who have a weak immune system, the bacteria become active, multiply, and cause TB disease.

Can latent TB cause symptoms?

Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) People with latent TB do not have any symptoms and cannot spread TB. If they do not get treatment, however, they may develop active TB disease in the future, spread the disease to others, and feel quite ill.

Does everyone with latent TB need treatment?

Without treatment, on average 1 in 10 people with latent TB infection will get sick with TB disease in the future. The risk is higher for people with HIV, diabetes, or other conditions that affect the immune system.

Can latent TB spread to others?

A person with latent TB infection (LTBI) cannot spread the bacteria to others right away. Only those who develop active TB disease can spread the bacteria to others.

How do I know if my latent TB is active?

Two types of test can diagnose latent TB: a skin test or blood test. Other tests, such as a chest x-ray or investigating sputum/phlegm samples are used to look for active TB.

Can you get latent TB twice?

It is possible to catch TB more than once, if you are unlucky enough to breathe in TB bacteria at another time. Always take new TB symptoms seriously and get them checked out by a doctor. After finishing treatment you might feel like looking at your life with new eyes.

Can someone with latent TB infect others?

Are you contagious with latent TB?

Do you need to quarantine if you have latent TB?

Individuals who are latently infected with TB pose no risk of transmission; therefore, quarantine is not an appropriate disease control measure for TB.