Mantoux is a mandatory breakdown that all children do. The procedure itself is considered very simple and practically does not bring any pain. They do it annually, but at the same time there is a belief that the child on the day of the vaccine should not have symptoms of a cold. Even the slightest inflammatory process can give a false positive result. Thanks to the vaccine, doctors can easily determine the possible presence of tuberculosis pathogens in the children's body. This disease is quite dangerous for the lives of all people. In addition, it is easily transmitted from one person to another.
What types of reactions are there?
Each child is distinguished by its reaction to the described manipulation. For example, if there are no manifestations on the skin at the injection site, then the result is considered negative. The presence of even a slight swelling and a red spot indicates a positive Mantoux test. Many parents at the sight of an enlarged papule immediately begin to panic, since earlier such a reaction indicated infection with tuberculosis. Thanks to the development of modern medicine, it was possible to refute this opinion, because the appearance of redness and swelling may also speak of other reasons that have no connection with this rather terrible lung disease.
As already mentioned, the Mantoux test can be negative and positive. If the injection site has increased significantly, then this indicates the effect of various reasons for the increase in Mantoux in the child.
Allergy
In childhood, the manifestation of an allergic reaction of various etiologies gives a positive result of the Mantoux test. If parents previously diagnosed this pathology in the child and were able to identify the exact allergen, then doctors advise several days before the estimated date of administration of the vaccine to exclude possible contact with him. It is also recommended that such precautions be taken until the healthcare provider records the result of the test.
Of course, it is far from always possible to identify the exact cause of the development of an allergic reaction in a child, since this requires a long period of time. In this case, it is necessary to completely eliminate the contact of the child's body with the following possible allergens, which are the causes of the increased Mantoux in the child (the body's reaction to them):
- pet;
- food products having a red color;
- sweet foods;
- medicines.
How to treat?
If the cause of the positive result of the Mantoux test is precisely an allergy, then the child should receive certain medications that are part of the antihistamine group. This appointment should only be done by a qualified doctor. The drug must be given immediately before the manipulation and for that period of time until the results are recorded.
With a positive test, many pediatricians are advised to undergo a re-examination. Before this, it is important to inform the doctor about the presence of symptoms of an allergic disease.
Drug response
In the modern world, everything is so complicated that sometimes in the medical industry there is a lack of correspondence between drugs. There are frequent cases when medicines or vaccines are of very poor quality. Do not forget about this factor when establishing reasons that could cause the development of a positive Mantoux reaction.
The described test is done for all children for free, so the vaccine itself may be of poor quality. And if it even does not meet the established standards a little, then in almost all patients it can provoke the appearance of a false indicator. Many doctors, after fixing a positive test, recommend that parents conduct an additional examination, but in a different medical institution. You can even go to a private clinic, where they will re-manipulate. Thanks to this, there will be several results on hand, which will be left to compare and draw preliminary conclusions.
Medical errors
In medical practice, the presence of the human factor should always be taken into account. It is under his influence that the Mantoux reaction can show the wrong result. All parents, especially young children, are accustomed to fully trust what their treating doctors say. But, of course, even a qualified employee is able to make mistakes, like all people around. This happens for a number of reasons:
- there is no sufficient level of knowledge in this direction;
- lack of practical experience;
- The wrong instrument is used to measure the sample.
- a mechanical error occurs, since during the working day there was a significant load (a large flow of children and a long review of the results).
If the doctor has established an enlarged test, but not everything is so bad at the injection site, it is recommended to calm down and start analyzing the information received. It is best to ask Mantou to see another specialist who is more qualified and has a lot of experience.
Reasons for a positive reaction
In modern medical practice, there are many cases where in children all Mantoux reactions are positive. This is due solely to the characteristics of the body of young patients. For such a child, the introduction of the vaccine will always end with the appearance of redness and swelling. A positive result in this case does not at all indicate the presence of lung problems. Examines an enlarged Mantoux in a child TB doctor. If the reaction proceeds according to this scenario, then do not worry ahead of time. Usually, children with special immunity have completely healthy lungs.
For such an unusual phenomenon, there are established reasons why the Mantoux is increased in a child.
Heredity
First of all, this relates to hereditary predisposition. For example, if one of the blood relatives had just such a reaction to the introduction of tuberculin, then the child will inherit this feature.
Malnutrition
The presence in the diet of a large amount of protein, which is found in chicken eggs, meat, milk and products produced with its use. Approximately 3 days before vaccination, it is recommended to exclude or minimize the consumption of this food.
All these reasons that influence the receipt of a false positive Mantoux reaction can bring a sense of joy and relief to parents. This is especially true of receiving a refutation of such a terrible diagnosis as pulmonary tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis
The most dangerous reason for an increase in the Mantoux test is mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Of course, in most small patients, the further formation of the disease does not occur, but still the child goes into a risk group. This is what is important for parents to remember and carefully monitor the state of their child’s immune system. He should not develop colds and other diseases that affect the respiratory system. If ambiguities persist, it is recommended that you seek the help of a TB dispensary. Specialists of this institution offer repeated test of Pirke. This research method has practically no differences from the Mantoux reaction, but the result is more accurate. All people who have had close contact with this child, and he himself is recommended to undergo an appropriate examination. It's about fluorography. After receiving all the results on hand, the doctor makes a conclusion and informs about the presence or absence of reasons for concern.
Getting a positive Mantoux test should not cause panic. It is important to seek medical help in a timely manner and undergo the prescribed examination. This will prevent unnecessary worries, and the child will not need to go through many procedures.
What to do with an increased Mantoux in a child?
Specialists have their own standards when analyzing the Mantoux reaction. If the child's size exceeds 17 mm, then such a seal on the surface of the skin is large. This reaction is called hyperergic. The “button” itself, remaining after the introduction of the vaccine, will be recognized as large if its size has increased by at least 6 mm. The doctor must necessarily compare the indicators obtained earlier.
Previously, only the vaccine was called negative, which did not even leave any trace at the injection site. If the Mantoux is at least 4 mm, then the medical workers attributed this to the sign of infection and sent it for examination.
Everyone knows that with the introduction of tuberculin into a healthy body, the reaction will be negative. True, this can only be attributed to adult patients. For example, when contacting a TB doctor after contact with a person who has an open form of tuberculosis, Mantoux will be prescribed. If even a small trace remains at the injection site, this will cause suspicion from the doctor.
In medicine, there are two varieties of an increased Mantoux test in a child that appears after the introduction of the vaccine. The presence of redness is called hyperemia, and the appearance of a tumor and compaction is usually called a papule. In young children, the size of the papule itself is usually assessed, but not the presence of redness. If there is a speck of 2 mm at the injection site, then this vaccination shows a negative result. A comprehensive examination is recommended with a papule size of 5 mm or more. Infection is uniquely diagnosed with a vaccination size of 2 centimeters or more.
Additional signs of tuberculosis include not only the presence of a large papule, but also a number of other symptoms. For example, if you click on the skin at the injection site, then a sharper outline of the spot will be noticeable. In addition, the papule turns bright red and does not disappear even after a week. Gradually, its surface pigmented and becomes brown.
Recommendations
In the absence of additional symptoms, we can talk not about infection with tuberculosis, but about a simple allergic reaction. In addition, quite often the papule becomes large in violation of the rules for caring for it. If you neglect the advice below, then the result of the Mantoux test will simply be spoiled.
- Clothing should be comfortable and only from natural raw materials.
- The sleeves should not be in close contact with the skin, especially with regard to the injection site.
- It is forbidden to rub and scratch the injection site, as this will provoke excessive redness.
- Moisture or dirt should not get on the wound itself.
- Do not treat the skin near the vaccine with any medication. Many of them simply cause redness due to irritation.
- It has already been said about the complete exclusion of products that can provoke the development of an allergic reaction.
- After infection with an infectious disease, it is important to first cure it and wait another month after recovery, and then you can go for vaccination.
The presence of an increased Mantoux vaccination in a child does not always indicate infection, but re-examination can be done only after 30 days.