Parents of every child dream that he will never be sick. But sometimes diseases cannot be avoided even with constant monitoring of the health of their child. It is especially bad when a child becomes infected with an adult disease - tuberculosis. The child’s body is not yet fully formed, so the pathology is much worse tolerated than in a more mature age. This carries the risk of developing serious complications, which are often even more dangerous than the disease that caused them.
Tuberculosis in a child: features and causes
Tuberculosis is called an infectious disease caused by Koch's bacillus and other types of mycobacteria that spread when talking, coughing, sneezing an infected person by airborne droplets. If a child with a weak immune system becomes ill with tuberculosis, the disease can be severe and cause various complications. It is especially dangerous when babies who are not yet two years old get sick with tuberculosis - in this case, the probability of the spread of the disease throughout the body is higher. In older children, immunity is stronger, so the disease usually affects only the lungs and does not affect other areas of the body. Conditions contributing to tuberculosis infection, in addition to weakened immunity, are malnutrition, poor living conditions, vitamin deficiency, and frequent overwork.
Tuberculosis in a child: symptoms
Symptoms will vary depending on the location of the infection and the form of the disease. When pulmonary tuberculosis develops, children do not stop coughing for a long time, there is an increased temperature for no apparent reason, there is a decrease in attention, loss of appetite, fatigue, and a decrease in interest in learning. If tuberculous meningitis or miliary tuberculosis occurs , more pronounced signs of intoxication will appear: high fever, shortness of breath, impaired consciousness. Parents often take the symptoms that the child causes tuberculosis for signs of SARS or bronchitis. Please note that with tuberculosis, fever and cough persist for a long time.
Tuberculosis in a child: diagnosis
At school, all children are periodically given a skin test for tuberculosis - Mantoux. If she gave a bad reaction, the child is referred to a doctor. If you yourself have noticed suspicious symptoms in your child, also do not delay the trip to the doctor. The specialist will conduct an external examination and, if there are suspicions, will appoint the child to conduct such studies as an X-ray of the lungs and a study of coughing up sputum under a microscope. Based on the results obtained, it will be possible to make an accurate diagnosis and, if necessary, start emergency treatment.
Tuberculosis in a child: treatment
There are no particular differences in the treatment of this disease in adults and children. The regimens and medications used during therapy are the same. The child will be prescribed the so-called tuberculostatic drugs. Get ready for the fact that the therapy will be long - it can last from six months or more. Nevertheless, in most cases, small patients tolerate treatment well enough. After completing the treatment course, you should go with your child to a sanatorium located in a dry climate.