Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] Good day doctor. I have been diagnosed with cervical lymph node TB and I have been taking Rifafour tablets, all at the same time for five weeks now. At the beginning (the first three weeks) the painful and swollen lymph nodes appeared to disappear but later came back and for the past two weeks they have been there. They are painful and my internal jugular vein keeps bulging. Will I be fine in time if I continue taking my medication? Thanks in anticipation and kind regards. Setsile from South Africa
[|AI|]  Hello. I had gone through your question and understand your concerns. Tuberculosis is a wide disease which can attack the lymph nodes, the lungs, intestine genitals etc. My first question on you is how it has been diagnosed? There are indirect tests of blood and direct tests like biopsy of the nodes. Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Due to the particular characteristics of tubercle bacteria (acid resistant, slow growth, survival in macrophages), the clinic of the disease differs significantly from other bacterial infectious diseases. It means it needs a long term therapy for 6 months. Initial 2 months: isoniazid + rifampicin + pyrazinamide + ethambutol Continuing 4 months with isoniazid + rifampicin During the tuberculostatic therapy regular checks of blood count, uric acid, renal retention parameters and liver values must be made! Because of the side effects of the medication ORL and Ophthalmologist controls are needed as well. I wish you good health.