Tuberculosis in children occurs because the child inhales bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis which is in the air. The bacteria then resides in the lungs and can develop to other parts of the body, likei spine, kidneys, even brain.
Children who get TB or tuberculosis are most likely not to get it from their peers, but from adults who have the disease.
When an adult with TB coughs or sneezes, the bacteria that causes TB spreads into the air. At that time, transmission of TB disease to people around it can occur, both to children and adults. Children who have a weak immune system, for example due to HIV in children or malnutrition, have a higher risk of developing childhood TB.
TB infection in children
TB disease, or commonly called TB, is divided into two stages, namely:
Exposure stage (exposure)
At this stage, the child is infected with TB germs. However, if the child's immune system is strong, the growth of TB germs can be suppressed so that it does not cause any symptoms.
Some cases of TB in children, especially in older children, the infection only reaches the stage of exposure. If this is the case, the child does not experience any complaints even though the results of the tuberculin examination show that he has been exposed to TB germs.
Stage of active TB disease
If the child's immune system is not able to fight the incoming TB germs, the germs will multiply and cause TB disease. Some of the symptoms of TB in children are:
- A long cough that doesn't go away, usually for more than 3 weeks.
- Fever for more than 2 weeks.
- Coughing up blood.
- Weak body.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight does not increase.
- Hard to breathe.
- Sweating at night.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- stunted growth.
Child TB Examination Method
Although a physical examination and chest X-ray have been carried out, there may not be any signs of TB infection in children. To get more accurate results, the doctor will perform a tuberculin skin test or Mantoux test.
The tuberculin test is done to find out if the child has ever been exposed to the tuberculosis bacteria. If the tuberculin test result is positive, then the child is most likely infected, especially if the symptoms are supportive.
In addition to conducting a tuberculin test, the doctor will also perform a sputum examination and sputum culture to determine whether TB germs are present in the child's body, especially in the respiratory tract.
TB Treatment in Children
If the child has tested positive for TB, then treatment needs to be done immediately. TB treatment is given to children who are already in the active TB stage, as well as children who have been infected with TB germs even though they have not shown symptoms. This disease can be treated by a pediatrician or pediatric respiratory specialist.
Children who are newly infected with TB bacteria and have not shown symptoms of active TB will be given antituberculosis drugs (OAT). isoniazid, which must be taken daily for nine months.
Meanwhile, in children who have been confirmed to be diagnosed with active TB, the doctor will provide treatment consisting of three types of OAT, namely: isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and rifampicin. These drugs must be taken daily for 2 months. Then for the next 4 months, only two types of drugs were continued, namely rifampicin and isoniazid.
Not all TB drugs for adults can be used in children. Children are generally not given OAT type ethambutol, because this drug can have a harmful impact on children's eyesight.
Until now, Indonesia is still one of the countries with the most TB cases in the world. Through various government programs and counseling to increase public awareness of the importance of health care, it is hoped that the number of TB sufferers in children can decrease.
By undergoing treatment to completion according to the duration determined by the doctor, children can fully recover from TB and avoid complications. This disease can be treated by a pediatrician or pediatrician who specializes in tropical infectious diseases.