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In this Article

• What is XDR TB?
• How is XDR TB spread?
• Why is XDR TB so serious?
• Who is at risk for getting XDR TB?
• How can I prevent myself from getting TB?
• Can the TB vaccine (BCG) help prevent XDR TB?
• If I have regular (drug-susceptible) TB, how can I prevent getting drug-resistant TB?
• Can XDR TB be treated and cured?
• What are the symptoms of XDR TB?
• What should I do if I have been around someone who has XDR TB?
• How long does it take to find out if you have XDR TB?
• Is XDR TB a problem in the United States?
• How many cases of XDR TB have been reported in the United States?
• Is it safe to travel where cases of XDR TB have been reported?
• What can health care providers do to prevent XDR TB?
• Are immigrants putting the U.S. at increased risk for TB?
• Why haven't we heard about XDR TB before now?
• What is CDC doing to prevent XDR TB from becoming a bigger problem?
• Find a local Infectious Disease Specialist in your town
• Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR TB) Index

Drug-resistant TB (MDR or XDR) is more common in people who:

• Do not take their TB medicine regularly



• Do not take all of their TB medicines as told by their doctor or nurse



• Develop active TB disease again, after having taken TB medicine in the past



• Come from areas of the world where drug-resistant TB is common



• Have spent time with someone known to have drug-resistant TB disease

Avoid close contact or prolonged time with known TB patients in crowded, enclosed environments like clinics, hospitals, prisons, or homeless shelters.

There is a vaccine for TB disease called Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG). It is used in some countries to prevent severe forms of TB in children. However, BCG is not generally recommended in the United States because it has limited effectiveness for preventing TB in adults. The effect of BCG against XDR TB would likely be similar to the effect on drug-susceptible TB.

The most important thing is for you to continue taking all your TB medicines exactly as prescribed. No doses should be missed and treatment should not be stopped early. You should tell your health care provider if you are having trouble taking the medications. If you plan to travel, make sure you have enough medicine to last while away.