How long should I take treatment to dissolve a tuberculosis lump?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have a small lump on the right side of my neck near the cervical area. I have been having this for the last one month. Although I am on treatment, the lump has not gone. The doctor took out the pus from the infected area, and the laboratory reports confirmed it as tuberculosis. In that regard, I would like to ask how much time it will take to dissolve this lump? What are the remedies?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand that you have a lump in the neck and was diagnosed with tuberculosis. AFB stain (acid-fast bacilli) might also have done for that apart from FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) to confirm it. Initially before testing, you were not responding because you might have been given antibiotic only. For tuberculosis, you now need to take anti-tuberculosis drugs AKT (Ethambutol, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide and Rifampicin) for six months. Gradually with the clearance of tuberculous bacilli, your lump will resolve. Consult a physician for examination and regularly take prescribed AKT therapy.