Letter T

Tuberculosis, dormant

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Tuberculosis, dormant: The presence of evidence for tuberculosis infection from a positive TB skin test in a person with a normal chest X-ray and no symptoms.

Treatment is not mandatory for dormant tuberculosis (TB), as it is with active TB, but it is a good idea because the TB can become active later.

Treatment is with the antibiotic isoniazid (INH) for 6 to 12 months, which will prevent the TB from becoming active in the future.

If a person with a positive skin test does not take INH, there is a 5 to 10% lifelong risk that the TB will become active

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