DOTS

"In countries with high HIV prevalence, HIV/AIDS and TB programmes 
should be working together to support and strengthen the DOTS strategy 
and to address the needs of people living with HIV."
Mukadi Ya Diul, MD, MPH, Family Health International’s HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Department
http://www.fhi.org/en/aids/impact/iohiv/ioh22/ioh224.html

(Directly - Observed Treatment, Short Course)

DOTS stands for: Directly Observed Treatment Short course

Once tuberculosis is suspected treatment should be started. The treatment supported by the W.H.O. is called D.O.T.S. (directly observed 
treatment, short course).

The TB sufferer is given at least three and preferably four specific antibiotics. They are called isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. In some cases this may be given in a combination tablet which combines the antibiotics in a single tablet. 

Treatment must continue for at least six months.

Since DOTS was introduced on a global scale, millions of TB patients have received medication and have been cured. More than 70 countries are using DOTS with very good results.In Peru the use of DOTS has led to the successful treatment in 91 percent of cases. In China the cure rates of new cases is 96 percent
DOTS is an internationally recognized health care management system that works.
South Africa has begun the process of implementing the DOTS system countrywide with enormous success.  It is a breakthrough treatment that can permanently cure TB in 6 months, without the patient having to spend even one day in hospital. Patients are able to keep their jobs and so financially they benefit from this type of care.
DOTS works so well because it is a patient-centred approach, which provides support to TB patients by observing them as they swallow their TB drugs and ensuring that they complete the treatment.
(Rotary Paarl)	A trained volunteer treats the patient in the community.  This can be the employer, the farmer, shopkeeper - in fact anyone who is prepared to help with the fight against TB.
The person monitoring the TB patient must be prepared to observe and record the fact that the patient has taken the correct dose of their medicine. It is important that the patient takes the correct dosage of anti-TB medicine, which is known as short -course chemotherapy. It is also important that the medicine be taken for the right length of time.
(Rotary Paarl)

Obtain Training Manuals by e-mailing Dr Peter Vurgarellis