Head of the Respirology Coordination Work Unit of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association DR. Dr. Nastiti Kaswandani, Sp.A, Subsp.Resp (K) said that interrupted tuberculosis or TB treatment could be dangerous.
"There is a danger, not only will it not heal, but the germs being treated will become resistant to the drug," he told ANTARA in Jakarta, Saturday.
In a condition called Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis or TB RO, he explained, the anti-tuberculosis drugs or OAT that were first given can no longer overcome the Mycobacterium tuberculosis germs in the patient's body.
RO TB patients must take more medication every day and undergo treatment for a longer period according to the recommendations of the clinical expert team in order to recover.
Treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis takes nine months to 24 months with close follow-up by medical personnel to assess the patient's treatment progress.
Patients with RO TB can transmit drug-resistant germs to other people and this condition complicates efforts to control tuberculosis.
In order to avoid experiencing TB RO, tuberculosis patients must take medication regularly until finished according to the standard treatment for tuberculosis.
