Preventive Treatment
Since latent TB infection can remain dormant for many years, many people who are infected take a preventive antibiotic.
The most common preventive antibiotic for TB is isoniazid (INH). People typically take this medicine once a day for nine months. It is important to take this medicine as prescribed.
Why do I need to take it for so long when I don't feel sick?
The TB bacteria is very slow growing and the antibiotic works while the bacteria is multiplying. If you don't take it for the prescribed time, you may not kill all the bacteria. Latent TB infection does not cause symptoms so the medicine is not to improve symptoms, but to prevent you from developing TB disease in the future.
If you have questions, please call the Intake Nurse at (608) 266-4821.
