Team PSA 2026: Caroline Diamantis FPS, Prof Mark Naunton MPS and Bridget Totterman MPS[/caption]
A/Prof Fei Sim and Prof Mark Naunton[/caption]
Clinical features 
Warm compresses are the cornerstone of treatment, helping to soften the lesion, bring pus to the surface and encourage spontaneous drainage. A clean face cloth soaked in warm (not hot) water should be applied to the closed eyelid for 2–5 minutes, twice daily during the active phase. Once the stye begins to drain, any discharge should be gently wiped away using a clean, warm washcloth. After resolution, continuing warm compresses once daily may help prevent recurrence.2 
Case scenario
Hans, a 21-year-old male, recently migrated to Australia from a tuberculosis-endemic country and has been diagnosed with latent TB after a positive tuberculin skin test. His doctor prescribed daily isoniazid for 9 months, and Hans has come to you querying the need to take the pyridoxine that he was also prescribed to take with the isoniazid, dismissing it as ‘just a vitamin’. Hans uses insulin for type 1 diabetes (well controlled) but is otherwise well.
After reading this article, pharmacists should be able to:
Competency (2016) standards addressed: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.5 Accreditation code: CAP2411DMVS Accreditation expiry: 31/10/2027 |
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Introduction
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection.1,2 After a person is infected, TB is usually held in check by the immune system (latent TB infection), however it can progress to active TB disease, which can be fatal.3–5
Though now rare in Australia, cases are still seen, and pharmacists should understand TB, and its management, as early diagnosis and appropriate management prevents disease transmission.2
Epidemiology
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