WHAT IS ENTENSIVELY-DRUG RESISTANT TB?
Extensively-drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB) is a strain of TB with extensive resistance to second-line drugs. XDR TB has emerged worldwide as a threat to public health and TB control, raising concerns of a future epidemic of virtually untreatable TB. Presently, XDR TB is rare in the U.S. and uncommon in the rest of the world. During 1993-2002, patients with XDR TB were 64% more likely to die or have treatment failure. CAN A TB PATIENT INFECT OTHERS? Yes, if they have TB disease and it is not being treated. Once treatment begins, a patient ordinarily quickly becomes noninfectious; that is, they cannot spread the disease to others. There is little danger from the TB patient who is being treated, is taking his or her medication continuously, and is responding well. The drugs usually make the patient noninfectious within weeks. TB is spread by germs in the air, germs put there by coughing or sneezing. Handling a patients bed sheets, books, furniture, or eating utensils does not spread
