Text messages could hasten tuberculosis drug compliance.

The treatment for tuberculosis is a combination of strong antibiotics that must be taken daily for at least 6 months. But side-effects, such as nausea and heartburn, dissuade some patients from sticking with the treatment. Other patients endure the side-effects only to drop the medication once they feel better 1 or 2 months into the regimen. The Stop TB Partnership reports that on average 5% of tuberculosis patients abandon treatment, although the figure is as high as 20% in some countries.