Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infection caused by specific types of bacteria, and its symptoms—especially coughing—often resemble those of many other illnesses. TB typically affects the lungs, but it can also spread to other organs such as the kidneys, spine, and brain.
Pulmonary TB is usually transmitted through airborne droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, sings, or laughs. Children rarely contract TB immediately—it often progresses through several stages before fully developing.
According to the Health website, here are the causes of pulmonary TB in children, signs of infection, and how to distinguish it from a common cough.
Causes of Pulmonary TB in Children
Pulmonary TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). While many children exposed to the bacterium do not develop active TB, they may enter a latent (dormant) phase without symptoms.
Transmission occurs through the air, and children typically get infected only after repeated exposure to an infected person. It's important to note that TB is unlikely to spread through personal items such as clothes, bedding, cups, utensils, toilets, or objects touched by someone with TB.
Symptoms of Pulmonary TB in 2-Year-Old Children
Here are key warning signs that may indicate TB in a toddler:
🔥 Persistent Fever
The bacteria can lie dormant for years. As the immune system weakens, TB can become active, often presenting with a low-grade, persistent fever, especially with night sweats.
⚖️ Weight Loss
Poor nutrition is closely linked to TB. A low weight-for-height ratio is a known risk factor and contributes to approximately 26% of TB cases worldwide.
🦴 Wasting
TB may cause loss of appetite, poor absorption of nutrients, and metabolic changes leading to wasting—a common sign in young children.
😮💨 Chronic Cough
Unlike a regular cough that produces clear mucus, TB cough often produces green or yellow sputum, sometimes streaked with blood—though coughing up blood is more common in children over age 12.
💔 Chest Pain
TB may cause pleuritic chest pain, due to fluid buildup between the lungs and the chest wall (the pleural space).
😴 Fatigue
TB weakens the body and often causes chronic fatigue due to its impact on health and disrupted sleep patterns.
🌙 Night Sweats
One of the hallmark symptoms of TB is excessive night sweating, which may indicate a high level of infection. It may be linked to hormonal disruptions, especially in cortisol production.
How to Differentiate TB from a Regular Cough
If a child has a persistent cough lasting more than 3 weeks, especially with blood-tinged sputum, it could be TB and should be medically evaluated.
Early TB symptoms can mimic cold or flu, making early diagnosis tricky. Doctors may assess:
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Nature and duration of the cough
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Physical exam: With TB, chest exams may detect abnormal lung sounds, such as wheezing or crackles, particularly in the upper lobes
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Cold or flu typically shows nasal/throat redness without abnormal chest findings
Treatment for Pulmonary TB in Children
If a child tests positive for TB:
✅ Latent TB
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May be treated with Isoniazid for 6 to 12 months
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Sometimes a shorter treatment course is prescribed
✅ Active TB
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Requires a combination of 3–4 medications for 6 months or more
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Hospitalization may be required at the beginning for close monitoring
Children usually begin to improve within weeks of starting medication and may enter recovery after about 2 weeks of treatment.
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