Can I get re-infected with abdominal tuberculosis if I delay the treatment by twenty days?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have suffered from abdominal tuberculosis for the last eight months. I take medicine regularly, but after six months, the doctor asked me to stop the treatment and advised a USG. The report showed multiple mesenteric lymph nodes. After that,I took medicines for three months out of the nine-month medicine course duration. After three months of medications, I again did a USG, and the reports were normal. Does it mean I am completely cured? Can I get reinfection if the bacterias are still present in my body? Also, I was 20 days late taking medicines after the check-up happened. Can it cause drug-resistant tuberculosis?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and understand your concern. As of now, you are treated as there is no sign and symptoms of the disease. Reinfection or reactivation of bacteria can occur in any person who is previously infected with bacteria. Twenty days gap during the treatment is unlikely to cause drug-resistant tuberculosis. If this period was more than a month, then there was a chance, but not in less than a month. I hope this helps you.

Thank you.