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What Are The Chances Of TB Recurrence After Stopping Medications?

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Posted on Thu, 4 Aug 2016
Question: Hi,
my mother stopped TB drugs exactly one year ago after taking it for 1 year as prescribed by the doctor.
Please tell me is she totally safe from recurrence?
Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Divakara (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Less likely but definitely not totally safe.

Detailed Answer:
HI

Thanks for posting your query.
Apologies for delayed response.

Well since she has taken full course of medication , there is high probability that there shall not occur any recurrence. Now let me introduce you to two terminologies here .

Recurrence can be due to relapse or re infection.

Relapse : It means the recurrence has happened due to the same bacteria which had caused TB in your mother . This indicates either a partial response to previous treatment or inadequate duration of treatment.

The risk of relapse in your mother's case is very negligible.

Re-Infection : This is a repeat TB infection due to exposure to TB bacteria from an infected patient. This risk of this happening is as good as that for any person.

So in my opinion , the risk is very less but can't tell that she is totally safe from recurrence.

Hope this information was useful to you.
Any clarifications feel free to ask.

Regards.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
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Answered by
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Dr. Divakara

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2358 Questions

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What Are The Chances Of TB Recurrence After Stopping Medications?

Brief Answer: Less likely but definitely not totally safe. Detailed Answer: HI Thanks for posting your query. Apologies for delayed response. Well since she has taken full course of medication , there is high probability that there shall not occur any recurrence. Now let me introduce you to two terminologies here . Recurrence can be due to relapse or re infection. Relapse : It means the recurrence has happened due to the same bacteria which had caused TB in your mother . This indicates either a partial response to previous treatment or inadequate duration of treatment. The risk of relapse in your mother's case is very negligible. Re-Infection : This is a repeat TB infection due to exposure to TB bacteria from an infected patient. This risk of this happening is as good as that for any person. So in my opinion , the risk is very less but can't tell that she is totally safe from recurrence. Hope this information was useful to you. Any clarifications feel free to ask. Regards.