What is the first-line treatment for a patient diagnosed with Tuberculosis?

The first-line treatment for a patient diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB) is antibiotics. TB is primarily treated with a specific combination of antibiotics that target the bacteria causing the infection. The standard initial therapy usually includes a regimen of isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, which are effective in eliminating the mycobacteria responsible for TB.

This antibiotic treatment is crucial because TB can progress and spread if not adequately managed. The use of antibiotics aims to not only cure the individual but also prevent further transmission to others in the community. Therapy is usually long-term, often spanning at least six months, to ensure that the infection is fully cleared and to prevent the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of TB.

Surgery is typically reserved for cases where there are complications, such as severe lung damage or other forms that require intervention. Chemotherapy is more commonly associated with cancer treatment and not the standard care for TB. Radiation therapy has no role in the treatment of TB and is utilized in different contexts, primarily for cancer management.