Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It commonly affects the lungs. In any case, different organs like the kidneys, spine, or brain might be affected.
Consult Dr. Kanakala Sran Murthy who is the paediatrician in Guntur at pediatric hospital
There are 3 stages of Tuberculosis:
The phases of TB are:
- Exposure: This happens when a kid has been in touch with an individual who might have or has TB. The kid will have a negative skin test, a typical chest X-ray, and no symptoms.
- Latent TB infection: This happens when a kid has TB bacteria in their body, however doesn't have symptoms. The infected child’s immune system makes the TB bacteria to be latent. For a great many people who are infected, the TB will be inert for life. This kid would have a positive skin test however a normal chest x-ray. The person can't spread the infection to other people.
- TB illness: This is the point at which a child has signs and symptoms of an active disease. This kid would have a positive skin test and a positive chest X-ray. The person can spread the illness if untreated.
Signs and symptoms of TB disease in Kids
- Cough
- Weight loss or failure to thrive
- Feelings of weakness, sickness, lethargy or minimised playfulness
- Fever
- Night sweats.
How does TB spread
Tuberculosis ordinarily is spread when an infected adult coughs the bacteria into the air. These germs are inhaled by the kid or teen, who is infected later.
Kids younger than around 12 years of age with TB of the lungs rarely contaminate others. This is on the grounds that young kids will tend to have very few bacteria in their mucus secretions. Additionally, their coughs commonly don't spread germs as effectively as when adults coughs.
Controlling the spread of TB
When an active infection is present in an adult: The adult ought to be isolated as much as possible particularly from small kids until treatment is under way. All family members who have been in touch with that individual usually are treated with INH, no matter what the aftereffects of their own TB blood test or TB skin test. Any individual who turns out to be sick or fosters an irregularity on a chest X-ray ought to be treated as an active case of tuberculosis.
If an adult with an active infection is untreated: Tuberculosis can be controlled by the immune system for a long time, just to break free during adolescence, pregnancy, or later adulthood. At that time, not only can the person become very sick, yet they additionally can spread the infection to everyone around them. That is the reason it is vital to have your kid or teenager to be tested for TB if they come in close contact with any adult who has the illness. This guarantees they can get fast, proper treatment if their TB blood test or TB skin test is positive.
Speak to our paediatric doctor in Guntur if you have any questions about TB or other infectious diseases.