SERVICES
CHILDHOOD INFECTIOUS DISEASES: TUBERCULOSIS
Tuberculosis, also known as TB, is an infectious disease which affects the lungs and other parts of the body, such as the spine, liver and kidneys. It occurs when your child has the TB organism in their body.
THERE ARE DIFFERENT STAGES OF TB, NAMELY:
- Exposure: this is when your child has been in contact with or was exposed to, another person who may have TB.
- Latent TB infection: this occurs when your child has TB bacteria in his or her body but isn’t showing any symptoms. They may have a positive skin test but a normal chest x-ray.
- TB disease: this occurs when your child is showing symptoms of an active TB infection. They will likely have a positive skin test and positive chest x-ray.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TB?
There are different kinds of TB symptoms which depend on the age of the affected child. Common TB symptoms include:
IN CHILDREN:
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Poor growth
- Night sweats
- Cough
- Swollen glands
- Chills
IN ADOLESCENTS::
- Pain in the chest
- Weakness and fatigue
- Swollen glands
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Chills and sweating at night
- Cough that lasts more than two weeks
- Blood in their sputum
TB symptoms in both children and adults are almost the same; that is why you also have to be tested for TB if your child has been exposed. The doctor will use a sputum test to diagnose TB. During the testing procedure, the doctor will ask your child to try cough up sputum and spit it into a testing cup. Alternatively, a chest x-ray and skin test may also be used for diagnosis.
HOW DO WE TREAT CHILDREN WITH TUBERCULOSIS?
Treatment of tuberculosis depends entirely on your child's age, overall health, the extent of the disease and medical history.
- Latent TB in children younger than 5 years old: the doctor will prescribe a 6 month course of antibiotics to kill the TB organisms in the child’s body.
- Active TB in children: the doctor will prescribe a combination of antibiotics for six months or more.