Treatment for tuberculosis can be provided at any point in the infection, the earlier the better to ensure that the spread of the bacteria is as controlled as possible. There are three stages of tuberculosis: exposure, latent tuberculosis infection, and active tuberculosis. As soon as the first stage, of exposure has happened, it can be diagnosed with a skin test or a blood test. It can take at least three weeks before a skin test will pick up a positive diagnosis for tuberculosis after initial exposure to the bacterium. The skin test is more common for people who are concerned they have contracted the infection due to exposure, and the blood test is more commonly used to diagnose those who have become symptomatic. Both the skin tests and blood tests are supported by other tests to ensure that the diagnosis is accurate before treatment is started. The only means of treatment available for tuberculosis is antibiotics, and if your condition proves to be resistant to the initial antibiotics, different ones will be prescribed until the infection is completely cured. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We have convenient locations in Brooklyn NYC, East Harlem NYC, Coney Island NYC, Nostrand NYC, Metropolitan NYC and Staten Island. We serve patients from Brooklyn NYC, Queens NY, East Harlem NYC, Manhattan NY, Coney Island NYC, Midwood NY, Nostrand NYC, Ridgewood NY, Metropolitan NYC, Greenwich Village NY, and surrounding areas.