Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR TB) (cont.)
How can I prevent myself from getting TB?
Avoid close contact or
prolonged time with known TB patients in crowded, enclosed environments like
clinics, hospitals, prisons, or homeless shelters.
Can the TB vaccine (BCG) help prevent XDR TB?
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.
If I have regular (drug-susceptible) TB, how can I prevent getting
drug-resistant 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.
Can XDR TB be treated and cured?
Yes, in some cases. Some TB control programs
have shown that cure is possible for an estimated 30% of affected people.
Successful outcomes depend greatly on the extent of the drug resistance, the
severity of the disease, and whether the patient's immune system is weakened.
What are the symptoms of XDR TB?
The general symptoms of TB disease include
feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. The
symptoms of TB disease of the lungs may also include coughing, chest pain, and
coughing up blood. Symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the body depend on
the area affected. If you have these symptoms, you should contact your doctor or
local health department.
Next: What should I do if I have been around someone who has XDR TB? »
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