India reports 25.5 million TB cases in 2025, with experts warning that irregular treatment fosters drug-resistant strains. Skipping doses allows bacteria to survive, leading to longer, harsher therapies and heightened contagion risks. Proper adherence is crucial for full recovery and public health.
Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affects the lungs but can spread to organs like the kidneys, spine, and brain. In pulmonary cases, symptoms include coughing, chest pain, and blood in sputum; extrapulmonary TB may cause back pain, joint issues, or meningitis. As of 2025, India has about 25.5 million reported TB patients, per the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data.
Standard treatment requires a six-to-nine-month course of antibiotic combinations, often taken on an empty stomach, which can cause mild stomach discomfort. Dr Sunil Kumar K, Lead Consultant in Interventional Pulmonology at Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, emphasizes, “It is essential to take the medicines on time and not miss any of the doses.” Skipping them, however, has dire consequences.
“When tuberculosis (TB) medicines are not taken regularly or the full course is not completed, the bacteria causing TB are not completely killed. This allows some of them to survive and become resistant to standard drugs — a condition known as drug-resistant TB,” explains Dr Kashmira Jhala, Consultant Pulmonologist at Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad. This drug-resistant form demands stronger medications over extended periods, with intensified side effects, and may require intravenous administration.
Irregular adherence can trigger relapse, worsening lung damage, slowing recovery, and rendering patients contagious again. Dr Jhala notes, “Incomplete therapy can lead to relapse, more severe disease, and even life-threatening complications.” A Delhi businessman, Sukhvinder Singh, recalls patients at AIIMS Delhi’s DOT Centre enduring treatment for up to three years, necessitating new TB cards and paperwork.
Risks are highest in the initial two months, when most bacteria are eliminated; later misses pose lesser but still significant threats. Dr Sagar Srivastava of Kailash Hospital warns that untreated progression can prove fatal. For optimal outcomes, experts recommend ample rest, sleep, and a high-protein diet alongside strict adherence. “Recovery depends greatly on the body’s strength — a protein-rich diet, adequate rest, and timely treatment are the pillars of overcoming this disease,” Dr Jhala concludes. Even if symptoms ease, doses must not be skipped to prevent resurgence.