If the test is positive, then you probably have TB infection and the doctor will run more tests, such as a chest x-ray, to determine whether you have active TB disease. In some groups, such as the elderly or those with impaired immunity, a simple skin test may not be enough to determine whether they have TB infection. Further evaluation may be necessary for these individuals if they have symptoms or signs of tuberculosis. Most TB can be cured. There are drugs that can kill the germs that cause TB, but a person must continually take the prescribed medication, usually for six months.
Some patients require a year or more for successful treatment.
If a person stops taking the medicine before completing treatment, the germs may come back more resilient than before. It strikes people of all races, ages, and income levels. Certain groups are at higher risk. The AIDS epidemic was considered a major factor in the increase in TB cases. HIV's suppression of the immune system both opens the door to new active infection and permits activation of latent disease.