This is what happens to the body when you don’t take your TB medicines properly

“When tuberculosis (TB) medicines are not taken regularly or the full course is not completed, the bacteria causing TB are not completely killed. This allows some of them to survive and become resistant to standard drugs — a condition known as drug-resistant TB,” explains Dr Kashmira Jhala, Consultant Pulmonologist and International Sleep Disorder Specialist, Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad.

If someone does not take proper treatment for tuberculosis, it can ultimately lead to the death to the patient

This version of tuberculosis is much harder and longer to treat, often requiring stronger medicines with more side effects. “The patient will need stronger drugs for a longer time, often with more side effects. Irregular treatment can also cause the infection to return, making the person sick again and contagious to others. The lungs may get more damaged, and recovery becomes slower,” Dr Jhala adds. In some cases, medicines need to be given intravenously.

“I remember seeing some people taking TB medicines for even three years,” Sukhvinder Singh, a Delhi-based businessman recalls his experience at AIIMS Delhi’s DOT Centre. For those seeking treatments from government’s DOT centres, need to do the entire paperwork again and get a new TB card issued, adding to the already draining process.

“It is important not to skip doses, even if symptoms improve, because the infection can come back stronger,” cautions Dr Kumar.  Dr Jhala adds that irregular treatment also means the infection can remain active, putting family members and others at risk of catching TB. “Incomplete therapy can lead to relapse, more severe disease, and even life-threatening complications. TB treatment works best only when every prescribed dose is taken exactly as advised by the doctor.”

People can become contagious again

Leaving the treatment in between can lead to life-threatening complications (Photo: Indian Express Archive)

Irregular treatment can also cause the infection to return, making the person sick again and contagious to others. The lungs may get more damaged, and recovery becomes slower.

“If someone does not take proper treatment for tuberculosis, it can ultimately lead to the death to the patient,” warns Dr Sagar Srivastava, Respiratory Medicine, Kailash Hospital, Greater Noida. He stresses that people often don’t realise the seriousness, leading to a medical complication which could have been easily prevented.

He further explains that when the dose missed, also matters. If the treatment is towards the completion of the course, a single missed dose might not lead to devastating results, straightaway. However, the risks are much greater in initial phases. “The first two months of treatment kill most of the germs, and the remaining months are needed to clear the rest and prevent the infection from coming back,” Dr Kumar weighs in or Dr Srivastava’s explanation.

Lastly, the pulmonologists strongly recommend taking proper sleep, ample rest and nutritious, high-protein diet during the entire course of the treatment for a speedy recovery. “Recovery depends greatly on the body’s strength — a protein-rich diet, adequate rest, and timely treatment are the pillars of overcoming this disease,” Dr Jhala concludes.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

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