Beware of TB in children, these are the symptoms and how to treat it

Tuberculosis (TBC) aka TB is an infectious disease that causes the most deaths. WHO estimates that there are more deaths from TB than deaths from malaria and AIDS. Not only affects adults, tuberculosis can also occur in children. It is estimated that 10-15 percent of TB cases in Indonesia are found in children aged 0-14 years.

The characteristics of TB in children

There are three fairly easy approaches that we can take as early detection of TB in children.

Tracing close contact with adult TB sufferers

First, investigations of children who have close contact with active TB patients, that is, people can transmit tuberculosis.

Close contact refers to children who live at home or frequently meet with infectious TB patients, for example family members, neighbors, or relatives who interact with children on a daily basis.

Report immediately if anyone in your home has infectious pulmonary TB, either extra pulmonary TB or other forms of TB.

Usually infectious TB affects adult patients whose sputum test results show the presence of TB-causing bacteria (usually called smear positive).

Even if the child does not show symptoms of illness, it is imperative that you have your child checked by a doctor for TB screening and TB prevention efforts.

Children showing clinical signs and symptoms

TB in children is a systemic infectious disease. The part of the organ that is most often infected is the lungs, although other organs are also susceptible to this germ, such as bone tuberculosis.

Clinical symptoms of TB disease in children can be in the form of systemic / general symptoms of pulmonary TB or symptoms that lead to other organ disorders that are infected with tuberculosis bacteria.

Tuberculin test (Mantoux)

However, it will be more accurate to do the Mantoux test. This test is done in two visits.

At the first visit, the doctor will inject a tuberculin fluid into the skin of the forearm. The results were observed at the next visit.

A person is said to be positive for TB infection if a lump appears in the injection area after 48-72 hours.

The doctor will usually recommend a follow-up examination consisting of chest x-rays, sputum examination, and blood tests.

Diagnosis of TB disease in children is more difficult than adults. The reason is, the symptoms of this disease are similar to other health problems that commonly afflict children such as pneumonia, common bacterial and viral infections, and malnutrition.

Tuberculosis can cause life-threatening complications for both adults and children

You can also prevent transmission by reducing the risk of disease. Also monitor for signs of TB disease in family members at home. When TB symptoms appear, get checked out immediately to detect the disease as early as possible.

TB treatment in children

After being exposed to the TB bacteria, children are more susceptible to developing latent TB conditions to become active TB disease. Latent tuberculosis is a condition when bacteria have been in the body, but are not actively reproducing.

Treatment of latent TB and active TB cases is usually differentiated. The following is an explanation based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website:

1. Treatment of latent TB in children

Children with latent TB will usually receive treatment with isoniazid-rifapentine for 12 weeks.

Alternative drugs that may be given to treat latent TB in children are rifampin for 4 months, or isoniazid for 9 months.

2. Treatment of active TB disease in children

If latent TB has progressed to TB disease, the child is required to undergo treatment for 6 to 9 months. The TB drugs that are usually given are not much different from latent TB drugs, such as isoniazid and rifampicin.

It is important to remember that the child must take the medicine until it runs out and according to the doctor's prescription.

If not, the child is at risk of experiencing recurrence when they get older, as well as the potential for drug resistance.