The good news is that tuberculosis or TB, a serious respiratory disease, once considered a death sentence, can almost always be cured. However, this is ONLY if the sufferer takes the prescribed medication correctly for the full treatment period. This can last about 6 – 9 months. If you don’t follow the medication regime correctly, your TB can become extremely dangerous, and lead to severe complications, even death.

To make sure that people with active TB don’t miss a dose, directly observed therapy (“DOT”) is recommended by health professionals. DOT is especially critical for patients with HIV, drug-resistant TB, and those on erratic treatment regimens (i.e., 2 or 3 times weekly).

What is DOT?

DOT means that a trained healthcare worker or other designated person, but preferably not a family member, provides the prescribed TB drugs and watches the patient swallow every dose. This is essential for at least the first two months of treatment. Family members may not be suitable, unless they are extremely responsible, reliable, and work in conjunction with a health professional.

Why use DOT? 

• Many people forget to take their medications as directed and miss doses, especially if the regime is complex or requires intravenous medication. This causes the treatment to be ineffective and the TB becomes drug-resistant from the inconsistent or incomplete treatment. In some cases, patients feel better after taking the medication and decide not to finish the course of treatment, which can be fatal.
• DOT, therefore, helps patients finish TB therapy as fast as possible, without unnecessary gaps, and therefore helps prevent the spread of TB.

How does DOT work?

• DOT includes:
  • ensuring a regular, uninterrupted supply of essential anti-TB drugs
  • checking for side effects
  • watching the patient swallow the medication
  • a standardized recording and reporting system for monitoring the treatment
  • answering questions

If you have been diagnosed with TB and want to make use of DOT, please discuss this as an option with your healthcare service provider or call LifeAssist for more information.