A typical course of treatment for active pulmonary tuberculosis lasts how long?

• A. 12-18 months
• B. 3-4 months
• C. 6-9 months
• D. 24 months

Answer: (C)

Treating active pulmonary tuberculosis relies on prolonged, multi-drug therapy to effectively kill the bacteria and prevent resistance. For drug-susceptible TB, the standard plan starts with a two-month intensive phase using four drugs, followed by a four-month continuation phase with two of those drugs, totaling about six months. Some patients, such as those with slower responses, cavitary disease, or other risk factors, may require extending treatment to about nine months. The other durations aren’t typical for drug-susceptible TB: three to four months is too short to ensure cure and prevent relapse, while twelve to twenty-four months is generally reserved for drug-resistant TB or special circumstances. Therefore, six to nine months best describes the usual course.