Historical View of Tuberculosis as a Fatal Disease
Before antibiotics, tuberculosis was often fatal. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, TB was called "consumption" because it slowly wasted the body. Without effective treatment, many people died within years of diagnosis.
When Tuberculosis Became Treatable
The development of antibiotics changed outcomes dramatically. Streptomycin, introduced in the 1940s, was the first effective drug against TB. With proper multi-drug regimens, most people can now be cured.
Modern Prognosis and Treatment
Today, standard TB treatment lasts several months and is highly effective when completed. Drug-resistant TB is more difficult to treat, but early diagnosis and appropriate care greatly improve survival. For current guidance, see the World Health Organization fact sheet on tuberculosis.
