Follow-up of TB patient

To know the TB treatment response and to determine if patient is cured, TB patients are clinically evaluated at the end of every four weeks of treatment (Clinical Follow-up), and they are also followed up by performing a sputum test at the end of each treatment phase (laboratory follow-up) (i.e. Intensive phase and Continuation phase)

TB patients during clinical evaluations are assessed to

• Identify possible adverse reactions to medications;
• Check for any comorbid conditions;
• Weight change;
• monitor adherence; and determine treatment efficacy by observing their symptoms

Although each patient responds to treatment at a different pace, all TB symptoms should gradually improve and eventually go away.

Patients whose symptoms do not improve during the first 2 months of treatment, or whose symptoms worsen after improving initially, should be re-evaluated for adherence issues and development of drug resistance.