Vaccination is a process that raises many questions for parents. However, you have to constantly think about the diagnosis of certain diseases. For example, tuberculosis. More recently, in order to detect this disease in humans, they made a Mantoux reaction. This technique is common among children. But in 2016, an alternative to Mantoux appeared in Russia. It is called Diaskintest. What it is? How good is this diagnosis? Does it cause any side effects? All these questions seriously concern parents. Indeed, innovations in the field of medicine, especially those associated with vaccination or injections, are not perceived in the best way. There is always a risk that the technique will not be the most accurate. That is why you need to learn as much as possible about Diaskintest.
Description
The first step is to figure out what is at stake. Diaskin test is an alternative to Mantoux. What is this method for determining tuberculosis in humans? Understanding the meaning of the injection is necessary before putting it.
Diaskintest is not a vaccine, as many people think. This is a peculiar new method for the diagnosis of tuberculosis, which replaced the Mantoux reaction, which has been operating in Russia for more than 100 years. The modern way to quickly detect Koch's bacillus in the active or passive phases allows, as doctors say, with almost 100% probability to indicate the presence of a disease in humans.
Act
How does the modern Mantoux alternative for children work? The thing is that the action of Diaskintest is based on the work of the proteins of tuberculosis and the human immune system.
Under the skin, a person is injected with a vaccine containing protein allergens (also called antigens). And then they monitor the reaction of the body. If the result is positive, it means that the immune system is familiar with tuberculosis. Therefore, the disease takes place. But in the active or passive phase - is unknown.
How do
The current Mantoux alternative is performed in much the same way as the previous tuberculosis test. Only, as doctors and parents assure, Diaskintest has distinctive features. They minimize the side effects of vaccination.
The thing is that the vaccine is administered under the skin of a person. This drug will not be absorbed into the blood. And it pleases many parents. A “vaccination” is placed in the space between the elbow and the wrist. Usually an injection is placed in the hand, which is not the "main". That is, right-handed people - to the left, left-handed people - to the right.
Is it dangerous
In the modern world, all parents can be divided into 2 categories: for vaccinations and against them. There are still doubters. Therefore, many try to look for the pros and cons in every injection that is given to the child. An alternative to the Mantoux test is controversial.
The main problem here is novelty. New vaccines and methods that have not been tested by time and experience are not too trusted. Should I do Diaskintest or not? This should be decided by each parent independently. But they want to remove the Mantoux in Russia in principle. Therefore, all parents before the "vaccination" should think about the consequences several times.
There are a small number of side effects from Diaskintest that are extremely rare. In addition, not all children can be exposed to a similar technique for the search for tuberculosis. You can always find alternative methods for diagnosing the disease. But in schools Diaskintest is actively promoted. What can you expect from this vaccine?
Contraindications
To begin with, it is worthwhile to find out who, in principle, can not conduct the studied diagnosis of tuberculosis. After all, the reaction of the body can bring some categories of people a lot of problems. Until the appearance of tuberculosis in completely healthy people.
People who are not available with the studied Mantoux alternative (like the "old version" of the reaction) include:
- citizens with severe chronic diseases;
- people with greatly reduced immunity;
- newly ill (the immune system is weakened);
- those who have a negative reaction to injections;
- the presence of serious diseases (including hepatitis, polio, epilepsy);
- temperature rise.
Accordingly, all of the above cases are direct contraindications for the test. We'll have to either wait a while, or choose other methods of studying the body for the presence of tuberculosis in children in adults. And what side effects can occur in "vaccinees"?
Traces
Now it’s clear that the Diaskin test is an alternative to Mantoux. Side effects, as many doctors claim, with this diagnosis are minimized. Most often they do not have a place at all. But people need to be warned of even the most unlikely consequences.
In the first place regarding the side effect of Diaskintest is the appearance of an injection trace. This is perhaps the most common scenario. A shot from the injection after the introduction of the appropriate vaccine under the skin always remains. And you shouldn’t be afraid of it. It’s a normal reaction. In a few days (sometimes within a week) the trace will disappear. He does not bring any discomfort.
Swelling
The following side effect can be easily confused with the diagnostic result. Usually the first signs of a positive reaction appear within 6 hours after the injection under the skin. Why not be afraid?
Slight swelling. Usually it is pinkish, almost colorless, as with Mantoux. Ideally, there should not be any other side effects besides the injection mark. But consider that the swelling is formed, it is worth. The main thing is that it was not papules or the color of the skin area near the injection site was not pronounced pink. If such signs and effects are visible, then this is a positive result for tuberculosis.
Bruises
The modern alternative to Mantoux has received diverse reviews. Parents pay great attention precisely to side effects. It has already been said that this type of diagnosis usually does not cause any negative reaction of the body. But there are exceptions.
The norm, in addition to everything previously listed, is the appearance of a small bruise in the injection area. Its size usually reaches 2 centimeters. Even if he wears a bluish or purple hue, you should not panic. This is a normal body reaction, albeit frightening. After all, the main thing is that the diagnostic result does not indicate the presence of tuberculosis. Then we can assume that the child is 100% healthy and not familiar with the disease.
Doubt
It is worth paying attention to the fact that the Diaskin test (an alternative to Mantoux) receives various reviews from parents. The main problem is that this type of diagnosis of tuberculosis is not time-tested. And parents simply do not know what to expect after the introduction of the "vaccine."
You must understand that sometimes the result can lie. Doctors do not deny that after the administration of the drug Diaskintest is able to indicate a false positive result. Such cases have occurred, they make parents not the best way to respond to innovation.
When can you doubt the presence of tuberculosis? If redness has formed at the injection site or papule. Do not panic. It is enough to consult a doctor for advice, as well as to do fluorography and a number of additional studies. Diaskintest is allowed to be repeated only 2 months after the initial "vaccination". This is not a side effect, but every parent should know about such a reaction of the body.
Other complications
The studied Mantoux alternative is, like any other injection, an intervention in the human body. Therefore, one or another reaction to the introduced protein is not excluded. It has already been said that, ideally, Diaskintest does not imply the presence of side effects or any serious consequences. Do not administer the appropriate drug to people with weakened immunity. This may result in infection. It is for this reason that it is required to pay maximum attention to contraindications.
What other situations can be considered normal after the child has been given an alternative to the Mantoux reaction? Such manifestations are not too many. These include the following situations:
- Temperature rise. This is a normal reaction to almost any injection. Usually it is not necessary to bring down the temperature in a child or adult. The likelihood of a strong increase in body temperature is as low as possible. But if this happened, repeated Diaskintest is not recommended. The temperature at which you want to refrain from repeating the procedure is about 38-38.5 degrees Celsius. If it lasts a long time, then it will also be a direct contraindication for future diagnostics.
- General malaise. Also a common scenario. Not only an alternative to Mantoux entails a similar result. Usually weakness disappears after a few hours. Do not load and strain the child. If he is weak after the “vaccination,” then he must be allowed to rest a bit.
- Headache. Quite often, children complain that after Diaskintest they have a headache. This phenomenon should not scare parents. In this way, very often the body reacts to the introduction of protein. Like all other effects, headache does not require any treatment. If it develops into a migraine or interferes with normal performance, you should take pain medication. Such cases will need to be warned by doctors during subsequent injections.
All this, as doctors say, is the normal reaction of the body to the injected drug. Therefore, in Russia they want to abandon Mantoux. A test alternative called Diaskintest is gaining ground.
Reviews
Reviews indicate that you should not be afraid of such a diagnosis. There are practically no side effects; Diaskintest can be carried out without special problems in children and adults who do not have direct contraindications for vaccination.
Many parents are repelled by the fact that sometimes a false positive result occurs during the test. It gives a lot of trouble. Doctors often recommend in this situation to do both Diaskintest and Mantoux in different hands.
Among the shortcomings of such methods for the diagnosis of tuberculosis, we can still single out the fact that they do not allow us to say exactly what phase the disease is in. Accordingly, a number of additional studies in the case of a positive result (even false) will still have to be done. That is why some parents refuse such methods of detecting tuberculosis and choose alternative options.
Nevertheless, you can get the results of Diaskintest fairly quickly (in no more than 3 days). Refuse such an injection is not worth it if there are no contraindications. This is simply a more accurate and faster way to detect a disease than Mantoux.