Optimal /effective duration of short course therapy for pulmonary TB is:: (A) 6 months, (B) 9 months, (C) 12 months, (D) 18 months
Answer is A. Ans: a (6 months) Ref: Park, 19th ed, p. 157Short course regimes of 6 months duration are highly effective, of low toxicity and well tolerated.These potent regimes are based on a initial intensive phase with four drugs--INH, rifampicin,Pyrizinamide, supplemented by either streptomycin or ethambutol for a period of 2 months, followed by 2 drugs in continuation phase.The treatment must be fully supervised and monitored mainly by bacteriological examination.