Tuberculosis is caused by the bacteria. This is a contagious disease. It spreads to one person to the other when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Primarily, this disease affects the lungs and other organs of the body as well. A person may be infected by any of the two types of tuberculosis – latent and active.
- Active tuberculosis is that a person is infected with tuberculosis and has the symptoms of the same. Active TB is contagious.
- Latent tuberculosis is that an infected person with tuberculosis germs does not show any symptoms. A person infected with latent TB cannot spread the disease.
Many cases may be cured with a combination of medications taken from 6 – 9 months. The side effects may not be common, yet may be serious.
Side Effects of Tuberculosis Treatment:
Tuberculosis treatments have some side effects. Below lines give information on the side effects of several medications and treatments of tuberculosis.
Standard treatments: Isoniazid is the standard treatment for TB which is not active. Usually active form is treated with Isoniazid along with other medications like Pyrazinamide, Rifampin and Rethambutol.
Liver Issues: Primary issue with TB treatment is drug-induced hepatitis as the medicines may harm the liver. Symptoms include itching, rashes, dark urine, fever, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and jaundice.
Flu-like Symptoms: Usage of Rifampin is related with serious flu-like symptoms. They include muscle pain, vomiting, nausea, chills and fever.
Other side effects: Other side effects of tuberculosis treatment include insomnia, increase in perspiration, drowsiness, dizziness, coughing, acne, stomach upset, heartburn, acidity and diarrhea.
Fluid discoloration: Treatment of tuberculosis may lead to red-orange perspiration, urine, saliva and tears. Side effects of this treatment disappears when the treatment is discontinued. Also it may discolor the soft contact lenses.
