Tuberculosis can be treated with several drugs taken for 6 to 9 months. Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection does not take long (usually 3-4 months). People being treated for latent tuberculosis infection or tuberculosis disease should take and use their medicines as directed. Many tuberculosis programs use direct observational therapy (DOT) to help patients complete tuberculosis treatment.

At DOT, patients take their tuberculosis drugs in front of a health care worker. Employees also ask patients about medication problems and side effects. DOT can be conducted in person or in some cases remotely using a smartphone or other device.

Disasters and emergencies can make it difficult for people with latent tuberculosis infection or disease to continue treatment. If people with tuberculosis stop taking their medicines too soon, they may get sick again. Mistakes of drugs can cause bacteria that are still alive to develop resistance to those drugs. Drug-resistant tuberculosis is more difficult and expensive to treat.

People receiving treatment for tuberculosis can prepare for disasters and emergencies in many ways.

Make sure your TB program has contact information in case you need to evacuate to a safer place or shelter.
Add contact information for TB program staff to your emergency plan.
If you live in an area with a high risk of disasters such as hurricanes or wildfires, talk to your doctor about preparing emergency medicine for tuberculosis. If you or a family member is receiving emergency treatment for LTBI or TB disease, contact your state or local TB program. Tuberculosis programs can help keep treatment going during emergencies and disasters.