Tuberculosis treatment in the Philippines is 100% free under the DOH National Tuberculosis Program (NTP). The standard 6-month DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course) regimen — rifampicin (R), isoniazid (H), pyrazinamide (Z), and ethambutol (E) — is provided free at any Rural Health Unit (RHU) or City Health Center. Sputum tests (smear microscopy and GeneXpert MTB/RIF), chest X-ray referral, follow-up monitoring, and even second-line drugs for drug-resistant TB are also free at PMDT-certified facilities. PhilHealth membership is not required for the patient — the drugs come from DOH supply, not your PhilHealth case rate. The catch: TB clinic days vary by RHU (often 2-3 days a week), so call before your first visit.

100% libre ang tuberculosis treatment sa Pilipinas sa ilalim ng DOH National Tuberculosis Program (NTP). Ang standard na 6-buwang DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course) regimen — rifampicin (R), isoniazid (H), pyrazinamide (Z), at ethambutol (E) — ay libre sa kahit anong Rural Health Unit (RHU) o City Health Center. Pati ang sputum tests (smear microscopy at GeneXpert MTB/RIF), chest X-ray referral, follow-up monitoring, at second-line drugs para sa drug-resistant TB ay libre rin sa PMDT-certified facilities. Hindi kailangan ng PhilHealth membership para sa pasyente — ang gamot ay galing sa DOH supply, hindi sa PhilHealth case rate mo. Ang catch: nag-iiba ang TB clinic days per RHU (madalas 2-3 araw kada linggo), kaya tumawag muna bago ang first visit.

The DOH classifies anyone with these signs as a presumptive TB case who should be screened. Free sputum testing is the entry point — no symptoms threshold, no referral needed.

• Cough lasting 2 weeks or more — the single most important sign. Cough with blood (hemoptysis) is a same-day red flag
• Unexplained weight loss — pants getting loose, no diet change
• Night sweats — drenching enough to change clothes or sheets
• Low-grade fever, especially in the evening — usually under 38.5°C, may come and go for weeks
• Fatigue and loss of appetite — disproportionate to your usual workload
• Chest pain or shortness of breath — when present alongside cough
• Close contact with a confirmed TB case — household member, dorm/jail mate, or co-worker in a small enclosed space, even without symptoms

If you have any of these — especially the 2-week cough — go straight to your RHU. The screening and sputum collection are free; you do not need a doctor's referral to start.

Ang sinumang may ganitong palatandaan ay tinatawag ng DOH na presumptive TB case at dapat i-screen. Ang libreng sputum testing ang entry point — walang symptoms threshold, walang kailangang referral.

• Ubo na 2 linggo o higit pa — ito ang pinakaimportanteng senyales. Ang ubong may dugo (hemoptysis) ay same-day red flag
• Pumapayat nang walang dahilan — lumuluwag ang pantalon, walang diet change
• Pawis sa gabi — nababasa nang husto na kailangan magpalit ng damit o kumot
• Lagnat na hindi mataas, lalo na pag-gabi — karaniwang mababa sa 38.5°C, dumarating at nawawala nang ilang linggo
• Pagod at walang gana kumain — sobra kaysa sa karaniwang ginagawa mo
• Sakit sa dibdib o hirap sa paghinga — kapag kasabay ng ubo
• Malapit na kontak sa confirmed TB case — kasama sa bahay, kuwarto/jail, o katrabaho sa maliit na enclosed space, kahit walang sintomas

Kung mayroon ka ng kahit alin sa mga ito — lalo na ang 2-linggong ubo — pumunta agad sa RHU. Libre ang screening at sputum collection; hindi mo kailangan ng doctor's referral para magsimula.

From first walk-in to a treatment registration, the standard NTP diagnostic flow looks like this:

1. RHU consult and symptom screening

You'll be triaged at the front desk. Tell them you've been coughing for more than 2 weeks (or describe other symptoms). They will route you to the TB clinic — often a dedicated room or schedule (Tuesdays/Thursdays in many LGUs). The medical officer or nurse will do a brief history and physical exam.

2. Sputum collection (2 samples)

You'll be asked to give two sputum samples:

• Spot sample: Collected on the day of the consult, supervised in a well-ventilated area
• Early morning sample: Collected at home the next morning before brushing teeth (highest bacterial load); brought back to the RHU

You will be given a sterile container with your case number. Cough deeply from the chest — saliva alone is not enough.

3. Sputum smear microscopy or GeneXpert MTB/RIF

• Sputum smear microscopy: Result in 1-2 days. Available at most RHUs. Confirms acid-fast bacilli (AFB)
• GeneXpert MTB/RIF: Result in about 2 hours. Available at upgraded RHUs and DOH-supported labs. Detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis AND identifies rifampicin resistance in one test — making it the preferred frontline test under current NTP guidance

Both are free. If your RHU doesn't have GeneXpert on-site, they will refer your sample to the nearest DOH-supported lab.

4. Chest X-ray (when needed)

If the sputum result is negative but clinical suspicion remains high, the medical officer may order a chest X-ray. Some RHUs offer this free; others refer to a DOH hospital or partner facility. Bring your case record so the X-ray is processed under the NTP.

5. Diagnosis and treatment registration

Once TB is confirmed, you are registered as a TB patient under the NTP. You will be assigned a treatment supporter (RHU nurse, community health worker, or trained family member), given a TB Treatment Card, and started on the DOTS regimen the same day or within a few days.

Mula sa unang pagpasok hanggang sa treatment registration, ito ang standard na NTP diagnostic flow:

1. RHU consult at symptom screening

Ita-triage ka sa front desk. Sabihin mo na umuubo ka nang mahigit 2 linggo (o ilarawan ang ibang sintomas). Ire-route ka nila sa TB clinic — madalas may dedicated room o schedule (Martes/Huwebes sa maraming LGU). Magsasagawa ng brief history at physical exam ang medical officer o nurse.

2. Sputum collection (2 sample)

Hihingin sa iyo ng dalawang sputum sample:

• Spot sample: Kinukuha sa araw ng consult, supervised sa well-ventilated na lugar
• Early morning sample: Kinukuha sa bahay nang sumunod na umaga bago magsipilyo (pinakamataas ang bacterial load); dinadala pabalik sa RHU

Bibigyan ka ng sterile container na may case number mo. Umubo nang malalim mula sa dibdib — hindi sapat ang laway lang.

3. Sputum smear microscopy o GeneXpert MTB/RIF

• Sputum smear microscopy: Resulta sa 1-2 araw. Available sa karamihan ng RHU. Kinukumpirma ang acid-fast bacilli (AFB)
• GeneXpert MTB/RIF: Resulta sa mga 2 oras. Available sa upgraded RHU at DOH-supported labs. Nade-detect ang Mycobacterium tuberculosis AT na-identify ang rifampicin resistance sa isang test — kaya ito ang preferred frontline test sa current NTP guidance

Libre pareho. Kung walang GeneXpert sa RHU mo, ire-refer nila ang sample mo sa pinakamalapit na DOH-supported lab.

4. Chest X-ray (kung kailangan)

Kung negative ang sputum result pero matindi pa rin ang clinical suspicion, pwedeng mag-order ng chest X-ray ang medical officer. May RHU na libre ito; may iba na nagre-refer sa DOH hospital o partner facility. Dalhin ang case record mo para ma-process ang X-ray sa ilalim ng NTP.

5. Diagnosis at treatment registration

Pag na-kumpirma ang TB, maire-register ka bilang TB patient sa ilalim ng NTP. Bibigyan ka ng treatment supporter (RHU nurse, community health worker, o trained family member), ibibigay ang TB Treatment Card, at magsisimula sa DOTS regimen sa parehong araw o sa loob ng ilang araw.

For drug-susceptible TB (the most common case), the WHO-standard regimen — adopted by the DOH NTP — runs for 6 months in two phases. All drugs are provided free by the RHU.

Intensive phase (2 months) — HRZE daily

• H — Isoniazid
• R — Rifampicin
• Z — Pyrazinamide
• E — Ethambutol

Taken daily, usually as a fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablet to simplify pill burden. Dose is weight-based. During this phase, the bacterial load drops sharply — most people become non-infectious within 2 weeks of starting treatment.

Continuation phase (4 months) — HR daily

• H — Isoniazid
• R — Rifampicin

You continue daily for 4 more months to wipe out the remaining slow-growing bacilli. This phase is where most people feel "fine" and are tempted to stop — don't. Stopping early is the #1 cause of TB relapse and the main pathway to drug-resistant TB.

What DOT (Directly Observed Treatment) means in practice

You take your medications in front of a treatment supporter — usually an RHU nurse, a barangay health worker, or a trained family member designated by the RHU. The treatment supporter signs your TB Treatment Card every time you take a dose. Two common arrangements:

• Facility-based DOT: You go to the RHU daily (some areas allow every-other-day or weekday-only depending on policy)
• Community-based DOT: A community health worker visits you at home, or a trained family member acts as supporter under RHU monitoring — common in remote areas or for patients with mobility issues

Follow-up sputum tests are scheduled at the end of month 2 (to check conversion from positive to negative) and at the end of treatment (to confirm cure). Both are free.

Para sa drug-susceptible TB (ang pinakakaraniwang kaso), ang WHO-standard regimen — sinunod ng DOH NTP — ay tumatakbo nang 6 buwan sa dalawang phase. Libre lahat ng gamot mula sa RHU.

Intensive phase (2 buwan) — HRZE araw-araw

• H — Isoniazid
• R — Rifampicin
• Z — Pyrazinamide
• E — Ethambutol

Iniinom araw-araw, karaniwang fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablet para mas konti ang pill burden. Weight-based ang dose. Sa phase na ito, bumababa nang husto ang bacterial load — karamihan ng tao ay hindi na nakakahawa sa loob ng 2 linggo ng pagsisimula ng gamot.

Continuation phase (4 buwan) — HR araw-araw

• H — Isoniazid
• R — Rifampicin

Ituloy ang araw-araw na pag-inom nang 4 pang buwan para matanggal ang natitirang slow-growing bacilli. Sa phase na ito nakakaramdam na ng "ayos na" ang karamihan at gustong tumigil — huwag. Ang maagang paghinto ang #1 na dahilan ng TB relapse at ang pangunahing daan papunta sa drug-resistant TB.

Ano ang DOT (Directly Observed Treatment) sa practice

Iniinom mo ang gamot sa harap ng treatment supporter — karaniwang RHU nurse, barangay health worker, o trained family member na itinalaga ng RHU. Pumipirma ang treatment supporter sa TB Treatment Card mo tuwing iniinom mo ang dose. Dalawang common arrangement:

• Facility-based DOT: Pumupunta ka sa RHU araw-araw (may lugar na pinapayagan ang every-other-day o weekday-only depende sa policy)
• Community-based DOT: Bumibisita sa iyo sa bahay ang community health worker, o trained family member na nag-a-act bilang supporter sa ilalim ng RHU monitoring — common sa malayong lugar o para sa pasyenteng may mobility issues

Iniiskedyul ang follow-up sputum tests sa katapusan ng buwan 2 (para tingnan ang conversion mula positive papuntang negative) at sa katapusan ng treatment (para kumpirmahin ang cure). Libre pareho.

Everything in the standard TB care pathway is covered. You should not be charged any of the following at an RHU, city health center, or DOH-supported NTP facility:

• Initial consult and symptom screening
• Sputum smear microscopy (acid-fast bacilli / AFB)
• GeneXpert MTB/RIF molecular test — includes rifampicin resistance detection
• Chest X-ray — free at many RHUs; referral to a DOH-supported facility otherwise (still free under the NTP referral)
• First-line drugs: rifampicin (R), isoniazid (H), pyrazinamide (Z), ethambutol (E) — full 6-month supply
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplementation — given alongside isoniazid to prevent peripheral neuropathy
• Treatment supporter supervision and DOT visits
• Follow-up sputum tests at month 2 and end of treatment
• Liver function test (LFT) monitoring when clinically indicated
• TB Treatment Card and case registration under the NTP

Where does PhilHealth fit in?

PhilHealth has a TB-DOTS Package with a case rate of ₱4,000 (intensive phase) plus ₱2,500 (continuation phase) for outpatient TB care. This case rate is paid to the facility (RHU or DOTS center), not to the patient directly. It helps fund the facility's operations — your drugs and tests still come from DOH supply free of charge regardless. You do not need PhilHealth membership to receive treatment. If you happen to be a member, the facility may file the claim on your behalf, but it does not change what you receive.

Sakop ang lahat sa standard TB care pathway. Hindi ka dapat sininingil ng kahit alin sa mga sumusunod sa RHU, city health center, o DOH-supported NTP facility:

• Initial consult at symptom screening
• Sputum smear microscopy (acid-fast bacilli / AFB)
• GeneXpert MTB/RIF molecular test — kasama ang rifampicin resistance detection
• Chest X-ray — libre sa maraming RHU; referral sa DOH-supported facility kung wala (libre pa rin sa ilalim ng NTP referral)
• First-line drugs: rifampicin (R), isoniazid (H), pyrazinamide (Z), ethambutol (E) — buong 6-buwang supply
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplementation — kasabay ng isoniazid para iwasan ang peripheral neuropathy
• Treatment supporter supervision at DOT visits
• Follow-up sputum tests sa month 2 at end of treatment
• Liver function test (LFT) monitoring kapag clinically indicated
• TB Treatment Card at case registration sa NTP

Saan papasok ang PhilHealth?

May TB-DOTS Package ang PhilHealth na may case rate na ₱4,000 (intensive phase) plus ₱2,500 (continuation phase) para sa outpatient TB care. Ang case rate na ito ay binabayaran sa facility (RHU o DOTS center), hindi direkta sa pasyente. Tumutulong ito sa operations ng facility — galing pa rin sa DOH supply ang gamot at tests mo nang libre. Hindi mo kailangan ng PhilHealth membership para makatanggap ng treatment. Kung member ka naman, pwedeng i-file ng facility ang claim para sa iyo, pero hindi nito babaguhin ang matatanggap mo.

Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is TB that doesn't respond to at least isoniazid and rifampicin — the two strongest first-line drugs. The DOH manages this through the Programmatic Management of Drug-Resistant TB (PMDT), and treatment is also fully free.

How MDR-TB gets caught

GeneXpert MTB/RIF flags rifampicin resistance in the same 2-hour test that confirms TB. Resistance to other first-line drugs is detected through additional drug susceptibility testing (DST) at DOH reference labs. If you're flagged as MDR-TB, the RHU refers you to a PMDT-certified facility — there are PMDT treatment centers in every region, often based at provincial or DOH-retained hospitals.

The MDR-TB regimen

Modern shorter regimens for MDR-TB run 9 to 12 months, replacing the older 18-24 month regimens. They use combinations of newer drugs, including bedaquiline and (for extensively drug-resistant TB / XDR-TB) delamanid. All of these are provided free under the PMDT — they would otherwise cost hundreds of thousands of pesos out of pocket.

What's free under the PMDT

• GeneXpert MTB/RIF and full drug susceptibility testing
• Second-line and newer drugs (bedaquiline, delamanid, linezolid, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, clofazimine, others as prescribed)
• Monitoring labs: monthly LFTs, ECG (for cardiac side effects from some regimens), audiometry (for older injectable-containing regimens)
• Treatment supporter and case management
• Patient enabler support packages (food allowance, transport reimbursement) in many PMDT centers — ask

If you cannot afford the transport to a PMDT center, the RHU can usually coordinate referral with the local social welfare office (DSWD) or barangay for assistance. Don't delay starting treatment — MDR-TB is harder to cure the longer it goes untreated.

Ang multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) ay TB na hindi tumutugon sa kahit isoniazid at rifampicin — ang dalawang pinakamalakas na first-line drugs. Pinamamahalaan ito ng DOH sa pamamagitan ng Programmatic Management of Drug-Resistant TB (PMDT), at libre rin nang buo ang treatment.

Paano nahuhuli ang MDR-TB

Nakikita ng GeneXpert MTB/RIF ang rifampicin resistance sa parehong 2-oras na test na kumukumpirma ng TB. Ang resistance sa ibang first-line drugs ay nadidetect sa karagdagang drug susceptibility testing (DST) sa DOH reference labs. Kapag na-flag ka bilang MDR-TB, ire-refer ka ng RHU sa PMDT-certified facility — may PMDT treatment centers sa bawat region, madalas naka-base sa provincial o DOH-retained hospitals.

Ang MDR-TB regimen

Ang modern shorter regimens para sa MDR-TB ay tumatakbo ng 9 hanggang 12 buwan, kapalit ng mas lumang 18-24 buwang regimens. Gumagamit sila ng kumbinasyon ng mas bagong gamot, kasama ang bedaquiline at (para sa extensively drug-resistant TB / XDR-TB) delamanid. Libre lahat ito sa ilalim ng PMDT — magkakahalaga ito ng daan-daang libong piso kung sariling bulsa.

Anong libre sa PMDT

• GeneXpert MTB/RIF at full drug susceptibility testing
• Second-line at mas bagong gamot (bedaquiline, delamanid, linezolid, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, clofazimine, iba pa kung naka-prescribe)
• Monitoring labs: monthly LFTs, ECG (para sa cardiac side effects ng ibang regimens), audiometry (para sa mas lumang injectable-containing regimens)
• Treatment supporter at case management
• Patient enabler support packages (food allowance, transport reimbursement) sa maraming PMDT center — itanong

Kung hindi mo kayang bayaran ang transport papunta sa PMDT center, kayang i-coordinate ng RHU ang referral sa local social welfare office (DSWD) o barangay para sa tulong. Huwag i-delay ang pagsisimula ng treatment — mas mahirap pagalingin ang MDR-TB kapag matagal nang hindi nagagamot.

Most people tolerate the standard DOTS regimen well, but a few side effects are common enough to mention so you know what's normal and what needs a same-day call to your treatment supporter.

• Orange/reddish urine, sweat, or tears (rifampicin): Normal and harmless. The dye is the drug being excreted. Avoid wearing your favorite white shirt to bed for the first few weeks; soft contact lenses may stain
• Tingling or numbness in hands/feet (isoniazid, peripheral neuropathy): Largely prevented by Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which the RHU dispenses alongside your DOTS drugs. If it appears, tell the medical officer — the B6 dose can be adjusted
• Joint pain, especially in toes/big toe (pyrazinamide, hyperuricemia): Drink plenty of water and reduce purine-heavy food (organ meats, anchovies). Severe joint pain warrants a same-day call
• Visual changes — blurry vision or trouble distinguishing red/green (ethambutol): Rare but serious. Stop the dose and call your doctor or RHU the same day. Visual changes are usually reversible if caught early
• Nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain (any drug, but watch the liver): Mild nausea is common in the first 2 weeks. Yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark "tea-colored" urine combined with pale stools, or persistent vomiting can signal drug-induced hepatitis — stop and seek same-day care
• Skin rash or itching: Mild rash can be managed; widespread rash with fever or peeling needs immediate medical attention

Monthly liver function tests (LFTs) are recommended during the intensive phase, especially if you have pre-existing liver disease, are over 60, are heavily underweight, or drink alcohol. These are typically covered under the NTP referral.

Avoid alcohol throughout treatment — it amplifies liver toxicity from all four first-line drugs.

Karamihan ng tao ay kayang tiisin ang standard DOTS regimen, pero may ilang side effects na common kaya nababanggit para alam mo kung ano ang normal at ano ang kailangan ng same-day call sa treatment supporter mo.

• Orange/mapulang ihi, pawis, o luha (rifampicin): Normal at hindi nakakasama. Ang kulay ay galing sa gamot na lumalabas. Iwasan ang puting damit pag-tulog sa unang ilang linggo; pwedeng magkamantsa ang soft contact lenses
• Pangangalay o pamamanhid ng kamay/paa (isoniazid, peripheral neuropathy): Karaniwang iniiwasan ng Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), na ipinapamahagi ng RHU kasabay ng DOTS drugs mo. Kung lumitaw, sabihin sa medical officer — pwedeng i-adjust ang B6 dose
• Sakit ng kasukasuan, lalo na sa daliri ng paa/hinlalaki (pyrazinamide, hyperuricemia): Uminom ng maraming tubig at bawasan ang purine-heavy na pagkain (laman-loob, dilis). Ang matinding joint pain ay nangangailangan ng same-day call
• Pagbabago sa paningin — malabo o hirap mag-distinguish ng pula/berde (ethambutol): Bihira pero seryoso. Itigil ang dose at tumawag sa doktor o RHU sa parehong araw. Karaniwang reversible ang visual changes kapag nahuli nang maaga
• Pagkahilo, walang gana kumain, sakit ng tiyan (kahit anong gamot, pero bantayan ang atay): Common sa unang 2 linggo ang banayad na pagkahilo. Ang paninilaw ng mata o balat, maitim na "tea-colored" na ihi kasama ng mapuputlang dumi, o paulit-ulit na pagsusuka ay pwedeng maging senyales ng drug-induced hepatitis — itigil at humingi ng same-day care
• Pantal o pangangati ng balat: Kayang i-manage ang banayad na pantal; ang malawak na pantal na may lagnat o nababalat na balat ay nangangailangan ng agarang medical attention

Inirerekomenda ang monthly liver function tests (LFTs) sa intensive phase, lalo na kung may dati nang sakit sa atay, mahigit 60 ka, sobrang payat, o umiinom ng alkohol. Karaniwang sakop ito sa NTP referral.

Iwasan ang alkohol sa buong treatment — nadadagdagan nito ang liver toxicity mula sa apat na first-line drugs.

Can I keep working?

For most cases of drug-susceptible pulmonary TB, you are considered non-infectious after about 2 weeks of consistent DOTS treatment if you have a good clinical response (cough improving, no fever). Many people return to work at that point — though it depends on the kind of work, your stamina, and your physician's clearance. Office and remote work usually resume sooner than physical labor or jobs in tightly enclosed spaces. Some employers ask for a fit-to-work certificate; your RHU medical officer can issue one.

Under the Labor Code's sickness benefit provisions and SSS sickness benefit (if you're a member), you may also be entitled to paid sick leave or daily sickness allowance during the period of incapacity — see our SSS guide for the claim process.

What about my family and household?

The DOH NTP strongly recommends household contact screening. Anyone who has lived with you in the same dwelling — especially children under 5 and people with diabetes, HIV, or other immunocompromising conditions — should be screened at the RHU. This is also free.

• Adults with symptoms: Sputum testing under the same NTP flow
• Asymptomatic adult contacts: May still be evaluated for latent TB infection; in selected cases, TB preventive treatment (TPT) is offered
• Children under 5 in contact with a confirmed TB case: Often started on TB preventive treatment (isoniazid for several months) even without active disease, per current DOH/WHO guidance

What if I miss doses?

Missing occasional doses can be made up under treatment supporter guidance — but missing more than a few in a row threatens cure and breeds drug resistance. If you miss a dose, tell your treatment supporter the same day. If you miss more than a week, the RHU may need to extend or restart your regimen depending on which phase you're in. The TB Treatment Card exists specifically to catch and correct this.

Pwede ba akong magtrabaho?

Para sa karamihan ng kaso ng drug-susceptible pulmonary TB, itinuturing kang hindi na nakakahawa pagkatapos ng mga 2 linggo ng consistent DOTS treatment kung may magandang clinical response (umaayos ang ubo, walang lagnat). Maraming tao na bumabalik sa trabaho sa puntong iyon — bagama't depende ito sa uri ng trabaho, lakas mo, at clearance ng doktor mo. Ang office at remote work ay karaniwang mas mabilis na nagre-resume kaysa sa physical labor o trabaho sa masikip na enclosed space. May employer na humihingi ng fit-to-work certificate; pwedeng ibigay ito ng RHU medical officer mo.

Sa ilalim ng sickness benefit provisions ng Labor Code at SSS sickness benefit (kung member ka), pwede ka ring maging entitled sa paid sick leave o daily sickness allowance sa period ng incapacity — tingnan ang aming SSS guide para sa claim process.

Paano ang pamilya at sambahayan ko?

Malakas na inirerekomenda ng DOH NTP ang household contact screening. Ang sinumang nakatira mo sa parehong bahay — lalo na ang mga batang under 5 at taong may diabetes, HIV, o ibang immunocompromising condition — ay dapat i-screen sa RHU. Libre rin ito.

• Adults na may sintomas: Sputum testing sa parehong NTP flow
• Asymptomatic adult contacts: Pwede pa ring i-evaluate para sa latent TB infection; sa selected cases, ino-offer ang TB preventive treatment (TPT)
• Mga batang under 5 na may contact sa confirmed TB case: Madalas pinapasimulan sa TB preventive treatment (isoniazid sa ilang buwan) kahit walang active disease, ayon sa current DOH/WHO guidance

Paano kung may na-miss akong dose?

Pwedeng habulin ang occasional missed dose sa ilalim ng treatment supporter guidance — pero ang mawalan ng higit sa ilang doses na magkakasunod ay nagre-risk ng cure at nagpapalakas ng drug resistance. Kung nakaligtaan mo ang dose, sabihin sa treatment supporter sa parehong araw. Kung lumampas ng isang linggo, pwedeng kailangang i-extend o i-restart ng RHU ang regimen mo depende sa phase. Ang TB Treatment Card ay umiiral specifically para mahuli at maitama ito.