Active TB can be treated by helping the patient fight the TB causing bacteria. Treatment options include:
A combination of anti-Tuberculosis drugs, to be taken for six to nine months.
Avoid contact with other people, by staying at home or being admitted to the hospital, to prevent the infection from spreading
Drugs that need to be taken regularly as prescribed, until all of the bacteria is killed even if symptoms disappear, in order to prevent the bacteria from developing resistance to the drugs used (cure rate is greater than 95% if the patient is compliant)
If the Tuberculosis bacteria becomes resistant to the drugs used, a different set of drugs is used, which have greater side effects and need to be taken for a longer period
The World Health Organisation DOT (Directly Observing Treatment) programme, which consists of supervising Tuberculosis patients to take the correct dosage and combination of their anti-Tuberculosis drugs