TB bacteria die very slowly. It takes at least six months to kill all the TB bacteria. People start feeling well after only a few weeks of treatment. But TB bacteria are still alive in the body. You must continue to take your medicine until all the TB bacteria are dead, even though you may feel better and have no more symptoms of TB disease.
If you do not continue taking your medicine after you feel better or are not regular, TB bacteria will grow again and you will become sick again because the bacteria may become resistant to the drugs you are taking. When this happens you may need different drugs to kill the TB bacteria if the old drugs no longer work. These new drugs must be taken for a longer time and usually have more serious side-effects.
If you become infectious again, you could spread TB bacteria to your family, friends, or anyone else who spends time with you. It is very important to take your medicine the way your doctor or nurse tells you.
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