Latent TB infection means TB germs are in the body but are not causing illness. It has no symptoms and does not spread to others. TB preventive treatment (TPT) lowers the chance that it turns into TB disease.
हिंदी में सार
लेटेंट टीबी में शरीर में टीबी के कीटाणु होते हैं पर बीमारी नहीं होती; इसके लक्षण नहीं होते और यह फैलती नहीं। टीबी से बचाव का इलाज (TPT) घर के सदस्यों, HIV वाले लोगों और कुछ दूसरे लोगों को दिया जाता है, लेकिन पहले सक्रिय टीबी की जाँच ज़रूरी है।
Never stop or change TB medicines on your own
Do not stop, skip or change your TB medicines without talking to your doctor or DOTS provider, even if you feel better. Stopping early can bring TB back and can make it drug-resistant.
Contact your health facility at once if you have:
- yellow eyes or yellow skin, or dark urine with pale stools
- any change in your eyesight, such as blurring or trouble seeing colours
- severe or repeated vomiting, or you cannot keep food down
- a skin rash, itching with swelling, or blisters
Who is offered TPT in India
- Household contacts of people with lung TB, with priority to children under 5, and now older children, adolescents and adults
- People living with HIV
- People starting medicines that weaken immunity, people with silicosis, on dialysis, or preparing for a transplant
- Close contacts who share an enclosed space such as a workplace
Active TB must be ruled out first
The programme gives TPT only after active TB is ruled out, using a symptom screen, a chest X-ray and upfront NAAT where needed. Active TB is the only absolute reason not to give TPT.
Regimens at overview level
| Regimen | About how long | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| 6H (isoniazid daily) | 6 months | Contacts and other eligible groups |
| 3HP (rifapentine and isoniazid weekly) | 3 months, 12 doses | Being scaled up for children aged 2 to 14 and contacts of drug-sensitive TB |
| 6Lfx (levofloxacin daily) | 6 months | Contacts of MDR/RR-TB patients |
| 4R (rifampicin daily) | 4 months | Contacts of isoniazid-resistant TB patients |
Your doctor chooses the regimen and dose. This page gives no doses.
Testing for TB infection
Children under 5 do not need a test for TB infection. Household contacts over 5 receive TPT after a positive IGRA or Mantoux test, once active TB is ruled out. If the test is not available, TPT should not be delayed. See Mantoux and IGRA.
After TPT
Contacts are followed up at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after completing TPT. Anyone who develops symptoms should be checked at once.
Should I get tested?Answer a few yes or no questions based on the official TB warning signs. Nothing is saved.
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Frequently asked questions
What are latent TB symptoms?
There are none. Latent TB infection causes no symptoms and cannot spread to others.
Is latent TB treatment the same as TB treatment?
No. TPT is shorter and uses fewer medicines, because it treats infection, not disease.
Does TPT have side effects?
It can. Report any problem, especially yellow eyes, rash or tingling, to your doctor.
Can contacts who missed TPT still get it?
Yes. The guidance says contacts can still get TPT up to at least 2 years after exposure.
Medical review note. Written from official TB programme guidelines; last checked 16 October 2026. This is general information, not medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, see a doctor at your nearest government health facility.