A qualitative study that aims to know the experience of undergoing the tuberculosis treatment. The Grounded Theory was used as a methodological reference. The data were collected through interviews with five sampling groups, with a total of 26 people. The data coding and analysis allowed identifying two categories: undergoing treatment and abandoning treatment. Undergoing treatment includes: taking the medications; seeing the doctor; running tests; staying away from work; having a consistent feeding; resting. The features related to abandoning treatment of tuberculosis are complex and are not related only to the medication collateral effects, use of alcohol and drugs. Having the income compromised, not being able to stay away from work and not remaining in hospital are situations that can contribute to abandoning. The treatment success is beyond the pharmacological efficacy, there are difficulties related to the person with tuberculosis, to the treatment employed and the kind of attention received.
Tuberculosis; Nursing; Social support; Therapy