What are the symptoms of tuberculosis, what tests are used to confirm it, and what medications are prescribed for its treatment?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a treatable bacterial infection. Common symptoms include a persistent cough lasting over three weeks, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, fever, and night sweats. To confirm a diagnosis, doctors use a TB skin test, blood tests, chest X-rays, or sputum analysis. If diagnosed, TB is highly curable. The standard treatment involves taking a combination of daily generic antibiotics, typically isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, for six months. It is incredibly important to complete the entire course of medication to ensure the infection is fully cleared. With proper treatment, most people recover completely without any long-term issues.