Tuberculosis is a rare but infectious disease caused by the bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs, but can also target parts of the body such as bones, brain, stomach and lymph glands.
It normally spreads when an infected person coughs the bacteria into the air and is then inhaled by the child who becomes infected.
Children younger than 12 years old with tuberculosis of the lungs rarely infect other people as they tend to have few bacteria in their mucus secretions and do not spread germs as effectively as an infected adult.
Different types…
Some kids get tuberculosis and have no symptoms, but the bacteria is still in the body. This is called latent TB. A child cannot spread it if it is latent.
Other kids might get it and become ill. This is called active TB.
Latent TB can develop into the active stage, especially if the kid’s immune system is compromised or they’re very young.
Tuberculosis Symptoms
Fortunately, most children exposed to the bacteria don’t become sick. When the bacteria reach the lungs, the body’s immune system attacks it and prevents further spread. This kind can only be identified by a positive blood test or skin test.
However, even if a child has this, they still need to be treated. This reduces the risk of the infection worsening into a disease soon.
Sometimes, in a few children without proper treatment, the infection progresses. These groups of children can experience fever, fatigue, irritability, persistent cough, night sweats, swollen glands, weight gain or poor growth.
In an even smaller number of those infected, particularly those younger than 4 years old or adolescents who have started puberty, or any person with a weakened immune system- the bacteria spreads through the bloodstream. When this happens, it can affect any organ in the body.
This type of TB usually requires complicated treatment. The earlier it is discovered and the treatment is started, the better the outcome.
Who is majorly at risk?
Children and adolescents who are at a higher risk fall into these categories:
- Those living in a household with an older person who has active tuberculosis
- Were born in a country that has a high prevalence of tuberculosis
- Are visiting a country where the disease is endemic and have extended contact with persons living there
Some groups of children have a high risk of having a severe disease if they are infected and these include:
- Those aged 4 years and below, or teenagers who have started puberty
- Children who have a weakened or compromised immune system
- Those living with severe malnutrition
Treatment
Your child will see a specialist for treatment.
He/She is treated with a combination of antibiotics that clears the bacteria from the system. If your child has the active disease, they will need to take antibiotics for at least 6 months.
It is essential to make sure your child takes the full course of antibiotics, even if they seem to be much better. Stopping the treatment early could leave untreated bacteria in the body which can then become resistant to the antibiotics.
If your child has latent tuberculosis, they will still need antibiotics but at a lower dose and for a shorter time.
Prevention
Kids diagnosed with active tuberculosis are normally not contagious. However, they should stay away from school or any other places until a healthcare professional confirms that they are not infectious. This is usually after 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment.
You can help your child to prevent the spread of the disease to others by:
- Asking everyone to wash their hands frequently
- Putting away used tissues in a sealed plastic bag
- Opening the windows at home, where possible
The BCG Vaccine…
Newborns should be given a one-off BCG vaccination to aid their body fight the disease if:
- They were born in a place where TB infection rates are high
- One or more of their parents were born in a country where the infection rates are high
- Someone in their family has had the disease in the past 5 years
Children aged 15 and below who weren’t vaccinated as a baby may also be offered the one-off BCG vaccination.
Dr. Favvy
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Disclaimer
The information on this site is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your paediatrician. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any action.
thank you for this info
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