Difference between Latent TB Infection and Tuberculosis

Condition analysis:
People with latent TB infection have TB germs in their bodies, but they are not sick because the germs are not active. These people do not have symptoms of TB disease, and they cannot spread the germs to others. However, they may develop TB disease in the future. They are often prescribed treatment to prevent them from developing TB disease.

People with TB disease are sick from TB germs that are active, meaning that they are multiplying and destroying tissue in their body. They usually have symptoms of TB disease. People with TB disease of the lungs or throat are capable of spreading germs to others. People with TB disease are treated with a minimum of 4 medications for several months in order to be cured.

Instructions:
Directly Observed Therapy
One of the approaches public health officials have taken to combat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is directly observed therapy, or DOT.

In DOT, a trained healthcare worker provides each dose of medication, watches the patient swallow it, and documents that the medication has been taken.

Studies show a higher cure rate among patients receiving DOT than among those self-administering their tuberculosis drugs.

While anyone with tuberculosis is a candidate for DOT, the CDC specifically recommends that patients in the following groups receive it:

People with drug-resistant TB
People receiving intermittent therapy
Homeless or unstably housed people
People who abuse alcohol or illicit drugs
People who are unable to take pills on their own due to mental, emotional, or physical disabilities
Children and adolescents
Anyone with a history of non-adherence to a prescribed drug regimen