Every modern person has heard of such a procedure as carrying out the Mantoux reaction. What it is? How is it carried out? For what? Are there any contraindications to this medical intervention? How to interpret the results? The answers to all this and not only will be necessarily discovered below. Actually, it is not difficult to study the action of Mantoux and everything related to this reaction. The information will be useful primarily to parents of minor children. After all, it is this category of the population that most often faces the corresponding manipulations.
a brief description of
What is a Mantoux reaction? People call it the “button”. This is a kind of test for the presence of tuberculosis in humans. An old, time-tested method for diagnosing the aforementioned disease.
Mantoux is not a vaccine. Therefore, she has nothing to do with vaccination. It is carried out most often for children from the first year of life. Mantoux is rarely given to adults - for this category of the population, there are other methods for diagnosing tuberculosis.
About the disease
The Mantoux test is a test for tuberculosis. What kind of disease is this?
Tuberculosis is one of the most common diseases worldwide. It is infectious. It is difficult and long treated, can lead to death. Transmitted by airborne droplets.
Causes tuberculosis Koch's wand. This disease is found in almost all countries, even vaccination does not help 100% protect the body from infection. The disease affects mainly the lungs and bones. As a result of this disease, the immune system is undermined.
That is why it is important to diagnose the disease on time. Tuberculosis in modern medicine is treated, but not always effectively. Nevertheless, annual diagnostics should not be neglected. It is available to the entire population; in Russia, the Mantoux test is done for free.
The composition of the "vaccine"
Before getting acquainted with the results of the diagnosis, let's talk a little about the "vaccine" in general. What is Mantoux? What does the corresponding “reagent” consist of?
The composition of the studied solution includes weakened tuberculosis cells. They, getting into the body, make the immune system work and fight with foreign components. You cannot get sick from Mantoux.
In addition to tuberculin (the so-called weakened tuberculosis cells), as part of the solution introduced into the body, you can find:
- phenol;
- sodium chloride;
- stabilizer ("twin").
It is worth paying attention to the fact that Mantoux does not have protein components in the composition. This leads to the fact that the introduction of a substance into the body is much less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Who is diagnosed
The Mantoux reaction, as we have already said, is a modern and quick way to check the human body for the presence of tuberculosis. It is worth remembering that existing purified tuberculin does not respond to BCG. Therefore, it is not worth fearing for a false-positive test result in the presence of a vaccination against tuberculosis.
The Mantoux test is carried out in Russia in large quantities. Usually, children are faced with this type of diagnosis of tuberculosis. Once a year, an appropriate procedure is carried out that helps to immediately determine the presence of the disease in the child.
The Mantoux reaction per year (at 12 months) is done for the first time. After that, the procedure is carried out annually. For example, in a kindergarten or in a district clinic. Modern parents can refuse Mantoux and make a “Diaskintest” or donate blood for analysis.
In any case, the most commonly studied tuberculosis test is done for children. Adults almost do not experience such an operation. After all, for them there are faster and more universal methods for determining tuberculosis. But if desired, each person can sign up for the study procedure.
Important: Mantoux is often performed after treatment for tuberculosis and to determine the need for BCG re-vaccination.
How to carry out the procedure
Mantoux reaction rates will be presented later. First, a few words about how to conduct appropriate diagnostics.
As already mentioned, Mantoux is not a vaccination. A solution with a weakened tubercle bacillus is administered intradermally. Liquid does not enter veins and muscles.
An injection is placed on the inside of the forearm. Before the introduction of the solution, the skin is treated with alcohol, then a syringe needle is inserted. After the procedure, the needle is removed from the skin.
Important: it is necessary to do a Mantoux test in a sitting position.
What happens after surgery
The Mantoux reaction in adults and children "behaves" after administration of the corresponding solution in approximately the same way. The result depends on the presence of tuberculosis in the body. Otherwise, the reaction of all people should be the same.
As a rule, after administration of a solution with purified tuberculin, a slight swelling occurs at the injection site. She is called a papule. It is on this component that in a few days the result of diagnosis for tuberculosis will be evaluated.
What could be the result
We found out what the Mantoux reaction is. The norm in children and adults of this diagnosis, as already mentioned, will be approximately the same. But how to interpret the result?
The reaction of the sample may be:
- positive
- negative;
- normal;
- doubtful.
Sometimes a false positive result occurs. It is customary to attribute it to doubtful. Next, we consider in more detail the norms of the Mantoux reaction in children and adults. The information below will help you quickly understand the results of the diagnosis.
Negative rate
Normally, the Mantoux reaction should be negative. This is a sign that the body has not encountered tuberculosis. With a similar picture, doctors conduct BCG revaccination.
As a rule, the negative result is the complete absence of any reaction to the introduced “reagent”. That is, the injection site just heals. Neither seals nor redness should be.
This picture indicates that the body never encountered tuberculosis at all. Either contact took place, but so long ago that the immune system has long defeated Koch’s wand.
Dubious result
The norm of the Mantoux reaction is the absence of any formations at the injection site of the solution with the reagent. But such a picture in the modern world is almost never found. Therefore, it is worth considering other options for the development of events.
As already mentioned, a person may encounter the dubious result of a diagnosis. This is the name of the reaction after Mantoux without seals. During such circumstances, the skin at the injection site simply turns red.
The size of the redness also plays an important role. If the "affected" area is 2-4 millimeters, we can talk about the absence of Koch's bacillus in the body.
Normal reaction
What the injection site looks like is shown in the photo. Mantoux reaction rates are presented to our attention below. It is worth noting that doctors allow the formation of small papules after the introduction of the studied solution. A similar phenomenon is considered normal.
In general, the size of the seal depends on the age of the child and on the trace of the “button”. In addition, the role is played by the date of BCG vaccination.
In children of the first year of life, the sample norm can be up to 17 millimeters. Typically, such indicators are found in the presence of a large (up to 8 millimeters) trace from the "button". If the footprint is small, the normal Mantoux is about 1.1 centimeters.
Below is a table that helps to judge the Mantoux reaction rates depending on the age of the baby and the duration of BCG vaccination.
Positive indicators
Of course, when conducting a diagnosis for the presence of tuberculosis, a person may encounter a positive result. When does a papule indicate a recent or ongoing infection of a patient?
A positive Mantoux reaction is characterized by the appearance of redness and thickening. It is customary to separate the results as follows:
- mild reaction - from 5 to 9 millimeters;
- average severity - 10-14 millimeters;
- pronounced reaction - 15-16 mm;
- excessive - over 17 millimeters.
Accordingly, the observed picture indicates that the body is currently struggling with tuberculosis or has recently overcome the corresponding infection.
Important: Mantoux color also plays a role. Usually pinkish inflammation. A bluish tinge of reaction indicates a positive test result for tuberculosis.
Blister effect
A negative Mantoux reaction indicates the absence of Koch's bacillus in the body. But sometimes you can encounter the so-called bend or blister effect.
A similar situation is characterized by a sharp increase in the area of redness by more than 6 millimeters. A "turn" is also called a sudden change in the negative reaction to positive without the introduction of the appropriate vaccine.
Important: with a blister effect, doctors begin to suspect tuberculosis in a person. For a more accurate diagnosis of a child or adult, they are sent to a TB dispensary.
Another indication for referral to the dispensary is the presence of a large sample (more than 16 millimeters) of a Mantoux in a person over the past 4 years.
How to take readings
We studied the photos and norms of the Mantoux reaction. And how to "take" readings after a diagnosis? It is pretty simple!
The doctor or nurse takes an ordinary transparent ruler and applies it to one of the edges of the papule. The diameter of the swelling and redness is further estimated. The obtained indicators are recorded in the patient’s medical record.
Accordingly, anyone can independently evaluate the results obtained as a result of the diagnosis. But, as a rule, the procedure is carried out by medical professionals.
Visit to a TB doctor
So, we have studied the current information on the interpretation of the Mantoux reaction. What to do if a child or adult was sent to a TB dispensary?
Many are afraid of this outcome. Indeed, in TB clinics you can meet with infected patients. Fortunately, this usually does not happen. The patient just goes to the TB doctor. The specialist appoints additional tests to conduct a diagnostic diagnosis. In addition, he can repeat the Mantoux or do Diaskintest. The latest diagnosis is more accurate and modern.
A TB doctor usually directs a person suspected of having tuberculosis:
- take a chest x-ray;
- take a blood test for tuberculosis ;
- conduct a sputum examination.
Even after a complete refutation of doubtful or false testimonies, a TB doctor can prescribe a course of treatment with anti-TB drugs on a case-by-case basis. It is worth paying attention to the fact that prescribed medications are serious drugs. They must be taken with caution, and “to insure” injuring the body with such substances is not recommended.
Important: if a person has suspicion of tuberculosis, a full examination should be required. Today, to confirm the absence of infection in many cities, you can take a blood test called TB-SPOT. This is the most informative diagnostic tool for the previously mentioned infection.
What may affect the final result
In the modern world, Mantoux reactions in children (photos of various results were presented) are becoming obsolete. The thing is that this is not the most accurate diagnostic method, but previously it was used only. Therefore, many still rely on a similar procedure.
The main problem is that more than 50 factors can affect the diagnostic result. Among them, quite often distinguish:
- chronic diseases;
- inflammatory processes;
- recent illnesses (even a common cold distorts the result);
- adenoids;
- tendency to allergic reactions;
- heredity.
It must be remembered that Mantou will have to be properly looked after for 3-4 days. That is, until the moment the papules are measured. Otherwise, the result will be distorted.
How to properly care for a breakdown
To ensure that the Mantoux reaction does not grow in children normally, it must be properly looked after. In adults, problems with "supervision" of the injection site usually do not happen. But minors have to establish tight control.
Parents should ensure that children do not scratch or rub the injection site. Because of this, redness grows. As a result, a false positive or doubtful result can be obtained.
Before measuring papules, you can not wet the injection site. This requirement will also have to be strictly observed.
Doctors recommend refraining from eating sweets and allergenic foods. This is necessary in order not to provoke an excess allergic reaction in the child.
Important: the needle insertion site must be open. You cannot tie it or bandage it. The skin should breathe.
Vaccinations and diagnostics
Perhaps this is all. The previously suggested tips will help to avoid problems with the distortion of the results of diagnosis for tuberculosis. But adults and children should pay attention to a few more nuances.
For example, you should not consider what to do after a vaccination. The results will be stunning. This is due to the presence of preservatives in the vaccines, which increase redness at the injection site when interacting with tuberculin.
Side effects
In addition, it is worth remembering that any injection is an intervention in the normal functioning of the body. And therefore, citizens can face a number of side effects.
These sometimes include allergies. In this case, the Mantoux grows to 20 millimeters or more. A similar situation is observed in all allergy sufferers.
In addition, you may encounter such "side effects":
- cough;
- lethargy;
- general malaise;
- skin rashes;
- fever;
- gastric disturbances.
In general, side effects resemble intoxication. Usually, special treatment is not required. Therefore, you just have to wait.
Conclusion
We met with a photo of the Mantoux reaction in children and adults. In addition, we were able to familiarize ourselves with important information on the conduct of appropriate diagnostics.
Now everyone can decide for himself whether he should agree to such a procedure. At the moment, the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children is carried out in different ways. And therefore, Mantoux is increasingly being abandoned. After all, as already mentioned, this is not the most accurate method for determining the presence of tubercle bacillus in the body.