A DR-TB patient should be initiated on treatment within how many days from the date of diagnosis?

Initiating treatment for a drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patient promptly upon diagnosis is critical for effective management of the disease, reducing transmission, and improving patient outcomes. The recommended guideline is to start treatment within 7 days of diagnosis. Prompt initiation helps to ensure that the patient begins receiving the necessary medications to combat the resistant strains of the bacteria efficiently.

Delays in treatment could lead to worsened health conditions for the patient and increase the risk of spreading the disease to others in the community. Therefore, adherence to this timeline is essential in the management of DR-TB and aligns with best practice standards in TB care.