Tuberculosis in children: causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention

Tuberculosis in children is not a common disease, but, nevertheless, it is diagnosed from time to time. This disease is much more difficult in childhood, because the growing organism is not yet able to localize and limit the foci of infection. That is why every parent should know the signs of the disease, as well as the methods of infection, preventive and therapeutic methods.

Tuberculosis in children: causes . The cause of the development of such a disease is the tubercle bacillus. Penetrates the infection in the children's body, usually from another sick person with an open form of the disease - most often it's an adult. Tuberculosis pathogens are most often localized in the lungs, but can also spread to all organs of the body. The susceptibility of the child to infection is of great importance - the stronger the immunity, the less likely will be infection.

Tuberculosis in children: the first signs . If we talk about the tuberculosis of the lungs of an adult, the main symptom is coughing, loss of uncharacteristic sputum and even blood. But in the child everything flows quite differently. The disease begins to appear about 1 to 2 months after infection.

Such children become lethargic and irritable, begin to lag behind their peers in school, constantly get tired. From time to time there is an increase in temperature to 37 - 37.5 degrees, but this malaise quickly passes, not having time to cause concern among parents. As the disease progresses, lymph nodes begin to increase, the level of sweating increases, and loss of appetite is observed. A sick child is more likely to have permanent colds.

Diagnosis of tuberculosis in children. In some cases, it is almost impossible to notice such symptoms on your own, especially if the parents are constantly busy. That is why it is necessary to undergo regular medical examinations and not to miss medical examinations.

Children regularly undergo Mantoux reactions, during which they inject TB under the skin, a substance that reacts to the presence of antibodies to a tubercle bacillus in the body. If redness is formed around the injection site for several days, it is best to see the doctor right away. Tuberculosis in children is treated much easier in the early stages of the disease.

In addition, the infected child must pass the necessary tests and undergo roentgenological examinations of the lungs.

Treatment of tuberculosis in children . The method of treatment depends on the individual characteristics of the child. The doctor takes into account the development phase of the disease, the age and weight of the child, the presence of complications or chronic diseases, allergic sensitivity, etc. With such treatment, antibiotics are not used, but their special mixtures with other substances. As a rule, for children a drug called "Isoniazid" - it is more mild to the body and causes fewer side effects.

The first stage of treatment lasts about four months. This is an intensive therapy, which is aimed at the destruction of infectious foci. After this comes the headlight of maintenance therapy, during which the child is given drugs designed to protect the body from a secondary infection.

Tuberculosis in children: prevention. The first thing you should pay attention to is the child's way of life. Healthy eating, playing sports, a sufficient amount of fresh air, water and light, compliance with hygiene standards - all this must be observed throughout the development of the child's body, starting from the period of birth. After all, this is the only way to strengthen the immune system, warning not only tuberculosis, but many other diseases.

It is worth minimizing the period of communication of children with tuberculosis patients by children. The Mantoux test, and in a more mature age and fluorography, must be done regularly - this will give an opportunity to kill the disease in its very bud.