Tuberculosis is known as TB in general terms. In ancient time, it was referred as ‘phthisis’. Robert Koch was a person who isolated the bacterium and labeled this as in infectious disease in the year of 1882. This is an infectious disease is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB can affect any part of the body, lungs being the main site. In some cases, it can lead to serious complications and more badly even death. TB sucks up the body and its nutrients leaving a victim very weak and lean. Children are major sufferer and the disease is still considered dangerous across the world.
The disease is rare in some part of the world as in UK due to a large-scale vaccination programs and general awareness in public. The WHO estimates that 1/3 of the world’s population is infected with TB and 95% of these cases are in low and middle income countries particularly in Africa and Asia. Tuberculosis kills 3 million people every year.
Mostly, tuberculosis spreads from child to child via droplets. When a child having tuberculosis infection coughs, sneezes, spits or even talks, tiny droplets of saliva or mucus are expelled in the air and these droplets then enter into the healthy child’s body.
The disease is occurred by the microorganism called Mycobacterium tuberculosis that enters into the body and reach the alveoli (small sacs in our lungs). Then the bacteria are transmitted to the lymph system and bloodstream and then to the various parts of the body. The common places for them to locate are bones, intestines, kidneys, meninges and most commonly distal parts of lungs.
The disease begins with nothing specifically. Little bit advanced stage in disease may have coughing that is often considered as normal or seasonal cough. The symptoms become more noticeable when a child starts losing weight and starts becoming lean.
The appetite goes down and the intensity of the coughing gets increased. The situation scares the parents when they notice that their child spits out phlegm often with blood. The child becomes feverish and lethargic. Night sweats are not uncommon and breathlessness is generally seen during coughing. There will be wheezing sound heard while the child coughs.
Tuberculosis is the disease that is to be treated as early as possible. The sputum test stands first among all as presence of the bacterium confirms the disease.
There are many other tests like Mantoux test, skin test that can help diagnosing the disease. Immunoglobulin tests, blood tests are also popular of having a clear picture of tuberculosis.
Chest X-Ray is considered as commonest test asked by doctors. The X-Ray shows many patches of tuberculosis in the lungs. The lungs are not clear and there could be congestions within the area.
Diagnosing tuberculosis also depends on the site where tubercle has stroked on. For instance, abdominal tuberculosis (TB intestines) may require some other tests like abdominal scanning, ultrasounds etc. TB bone requires the X-Ray of that particular portion of the bone in the body.
The first and foremost among all precautions is getting your child vaccinated. The vaccine called BCG gives 60-80% protection against the bacterium. The vaccination is recommended by WHO and is scheduled by various health departments in almost all countries.
Tuberculosis fall under the contagious disease and therefore the best way to prevent is avoidance of getting exposed to it. Avoid a child being in dense area where there is crowd such as public places, fairs and other clumsy areas.
If the child is exposed to the tuberculosis, until treated, he or she is not to be sent to the school as the disease may spread rapidly to other healthy children. However, schools are too conscious about it but it is also parents’ duty to save their child and other children.
Coming to the treatment of tuberculosis, there is something called AKT – anti Koch’s therapy or treatment or ATT – anti-tuberculosis treatment. This contains four unique drugs and the course of this treatment varies from 6 months to one year.
The TB needs serious attention because if it is left untreated, soon it turns to MDR TB (multi drug resistant tuberculosis) that will not respond to any of the TB treatment.
Ayurveda refers this disease as ‘raajyakshma’ or ‘kshaya’ in which, the bodily dhaatus (vital tissues) get affected and they start losing their functions. The child becomes lean and coughs with blood. This is developed by infection and it shakes up the bodily humors Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Certain Ayurvedic herbs like pushkarmoola, guduchi, Ashwagandha, kantakari, tulasi, haridra, haritaki, amlaki etc are very helpful treating the case. But according to many scholars, they are to be used as an aid to main treatment and not to be used as first line treatment since other advanced treatment are available.
MY CART 
CHECKOUT
Digg 
Delicious
reditt
Stumble Upon
