Does antibiotic treatment treat latent tuberculosis infection?

Latent tuberculosis infection means tuberculosis bacteria are present but are not causing active illness or spreading through the air. Preventive treatment targets bacteria that are inactive, helping reduce the possibility that they become active later. The regimen may involve one or more medicines for a prescribed period, selected after reviewing your health and other medicines.

You may feel well during latent infection, so treatment adherence and monitoring matter even without symptoms. Do not stop or restart treatment on your own. Missing doses or stopping early can reduce its protective effect and should be discussed with the tuberculosis team.

Attend the assessment arranged by your clinician to confirm that the infection is latent and not active. Take every dose as directed, report new symptoms or side effects, and tell the team about liver problems, pregnancy, alcohol use, and all medicines or supplements.

Contact your treatment team promptly for yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, severe nausea, persistent abdominal pain, unusual bruising, or marked tiredness. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, or a severe rash.

Ask how long your regimen lasts, which monitoring tests are planned, what to do about a missed dose, and which symptoms could suggest active tuberculosis.