The menace of Tuberculosis in Children: A wake-up call for action

However, the symptoms in children is a little different from that of adults. Tuberculosis should be suspected in children (0-14 years) with any or combination of symptoms such as low grade fever (which persists even when treated), night sweats, loss of weight, loss of appetite, failure to thrive, lymph node swellings, joint or bone swellings, angle deformity of the spine, restlessness, neck stiffness, headache and vomiting. Since coughing is not a likely symptons for children so as to collect their sputum sample for diagnosis, and since cases are often negative on culture, the diagnosis is always based on clinical findings, family history of contact with a smear positive case, x-ray examination, and tuberculine test

Prevention of TB in children should be paramount, therefore, immunization programmes is essential to provide opportunities to promote integrated services and improve the overall health of recipients. On the disease, i will be supplying highlights on the disease, how it spreads, signs and symptoms, complications when administered, treatment and prevention. Then, for each vaccine, i will be providing information on what it, how it stored, when it is given, the number and amount of the dose, where it is administered, how it is given and any side effect. Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease caused by *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*. It usually affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body, including the bones, joints and brain. However, it is worthy to note that not everyone who is infected with *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* develops the disease.

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How it spreads?

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Tuberculosis is spread from person to person through air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A person can contract bovine tuberculosis, another variety of TB, by consuming raw milk from infected cattle. TB spreads rapidly in areas where people are living in crowded conditions, have poor access to health care, and/or are malnourished. People of all ages can develop TB with highest risk in younger children and elderly people. People with TB infection who have weakened immume systems (for example, people with HIV/AIDS) are more likely to develop the diseases.

What are the symptoms and signs of TB?

The general symptoms are general weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweat. Other symptoms and signs depend on the part of the body that is affected. For example: in TB of the lungs (pulmonary tuberculosis): persistent cough, coughing up of blood and chest pain. In young children, however, the only sign of pulmonary TB may be stunted growth or failure to thrive. In TB of the bones and joints; swelling, pain with cripple effects on the hips, knees or spine.

What is the treatment for TB?

People with TB must complete a course of therapy called Directly Observed Treatment Schedule (DOTS), which usually includes taking two or more antituberculosis drugs for at least six months. People who fail to take the medication as prescribed or do not complete the course of therapy or are given ineffective treatment can develop multidrug resistant TB that is even more difficult to treat and more dangerous if spread to other people. A person with the disease will continue to infect others until after the first two weeks of commencement of treatment.

What are the complications of TB?

Untreatment pulmonary TB results in disability and death. This may be more rapid in people infected with HIV/AIDS.

How is TB prevented?

Vaccination at birth or as soon as possible after with Bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine pfotects infants against tuberculosis. Infants with known HIV positive mothers should be followed closely to monitor for any BCG-related complications.

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BCG Vaccine

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BCG vaccine protects infants against tuberculosis. The letters, B, C and G stand for Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin. Calmette and Guerin are the names of the people who developed the vaccine. It must be reconstituted with a diluent before use. BCG vaccine and diluent shojld be stored at a temperature between +2oC anc +8oC.

When and how is BCG vaccine administered?

BCG vaccine is given at birth or as soon as possible after birth. It should not be given to children who have clinical HIV/AIDS. Administered intradermally, 0.05 mls on the left upper arm. It is also worthy to note that BCG vaccine is not recommended after 12 months of age because the protection provided is less certain.

How safe is BCG vaccine and what are the potential adverse events following immunization?

BCG vaccine is safe. A mild reaction at the site of injection, a small raised lump, which heals after two weeks leaving a small scar about 5 mm across, - the scar is a sign that the child bas been effectively immunized and should come up after 6 weeks. If no scar occurs, send the child for mantoux test and repeat BCG if mantoux is negative. Serious events likely to occur include generalized infection primarily in HIV-infected persons or those with severe immune deficiencies, other events include swelling and abscesses, swollen glands (in the armpit or near the elbow)