What is multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB)?
If you do not take your medicine as your doctor or nurse tells you, the TB bacteria may become resistant to a certain medicine. This means that the medicine can no longer kill the bacteria.
Drug resistance is more common in people who
* have spent time with someone with drug-resistant active TB disease
* do not take their medicine regularly
* do not take all of their medicine as told by their doctor or nurse
* develop active TB disease again, after having taken TB medicine in the past
* come from areas where drug-resistant TB is common
Sometimes the bacteria become resistant to two or more of the most important medicines: INH and RIF. This is called multidrug-resistant TB, or MDR TB. This is a very serious problem. People with MDR TB disease must be treated with special medicines. These medicines are not as good as the usual medicines for TB and they may cause more side effects. Also, most people with MDR TB disease must see a TB expert who can closely observe their treatment to make sure it is working.
People who have spent time with someone sick with MDR TB disease can become infected with these multidrug-resistant bacteria. If they have a positive skin test reaction, they may be given medicine to keep them from developing MDR TB disease. This is very important for people who are at high risk of developing MDR TB disease, such as children and HIV-infected people.
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Posted:
Sat Nov 04 2006 16:10:56 GMT+0800 (Singapore Standard Time)
Posted By: D.K. Mangusan Jr., PTRP
Source: CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
For more information regarding Tuberculosis visit http://www.cdc.gov
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