Final answer:
The treatment for Tuberculosis (TB) often entails a prolonged course of a combination of antibiotics to prevent resistance. Marsha's doctor instructed her to remain home to stop the spread of the disease. Directly observed therapy (DOT) is used to ensure patients adhere to the TB treatment regimen.
Step-by-step explanation:
Treatment regimens for both latent and active Tuberculosis (TB) typically involve a combination of antibiotics over a lengthy period. The common antibiotics include isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. These multidrug protocols are crucial to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains such as Multidrug resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR-TB). In response to the question about Marsha's doctor ordering her to stay home for three months: due to the contagious nature of TB, such precautions are necessary to prevent the spread of the infection, especially in the initial phase when the patient is most infectious.
Directly observed therapy (DOT) is a recommended strategy by the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure adherence to the TB treatment regimen, where health-care providers supervise the administration of medications. This approach helps address issues of patient nonadherence, which can be more pronounced in underdeveloped or underserved regions. However, questions regarding the practicality and affordability of DOT for all antibiotics remain as well as discussions on who should monitor and enforce proper prescription practices.