TB treatment
9 public facilities across South Africa
South Africa has the sixth-highest TB incidence in the world and the highest burden of HIV/TB co-infection. In 2023, an estimated 300,000 new TB cases occurred, with about 56,000 deaths — many of them preventable. Diagnosis has improved dramatically since the rollout of GeneXpert machines: results now come back in 2 hours instead of 6-8 weeks with sputum microscopy. Treatment is free and provided under Directly Observed Therapy (DOTS) at every public clinic. The standard regimen is 6 months (2 months intensive + 4 months continuation) and cures over 85% of drug-sensitive cases.
What to expect
You cough up sputum into a container. GeneXpert gives results in 2 hours and also detects rifampicin resistance. Not all clinics have GeneXpert — if yours does not, the sample is sent to a central lab (48-72 hours).
Four drugs for 2 months (rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol), then two drugs for 4 months (rifampicin, isoniazid). All free.
For the first 2 months, a treatment supporter watches you take each dose. This can be a clinic nurse, community health worker, family member, or workplace colleague.
Month 2 and month 5 sputum tests confirm the bacteria are clearing. If month 2 is still positive, the intensive phase may be extended.
If both follow-up sputums are negative and you have taken all doses, you are declared cured. Do not stop early — incomplete treatment breeds drug resistance.
Who is eligible?
Anyone with symptoms (cough >2 weeks, weight loss, night sweats, fever) should be screened. Treatment is free for everyone — citizens, foreign nationals, undocumented persons. TB is a notifiable disease and treating it protects the entire community.
Read the full guide
Our guide covers everything in detail: step-by-step process, FAQs, and practical tips.
TB Treatment — What to Expect →