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Is Latent Tuberculosis In Children A Cause For Concern?

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Posted on Thu, 15 Sep 2016
Question: My 12 years old child has a latent tuberculosis (just discovered). She is supposed to take Isoniazid for 9 months. In plain language I understand that this is an TB infection which is not active but has a chance to wake up. How worried I should be? And apart from taking the medicine for 9 months is there anything else that I should take into consideration in her everyday life? She likes swimming and tennis, should I withdraw her? We live in Kuwait now, just arrived. Does it have to do with the climate? Is there any brochure where I could find all the information regarding the latent TB care?
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Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (36 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
She should be given isoniazide treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX,

Yes you are right-latent TB means that she has TB infection which is not active ie she does not have TB disease. However there is a risk of it getting active in future. So currently nothing much to worry.

Was the basis of diagnosis a tuberculin skin test or a blood test?

However treatment with isoniazide is recommended to reduce the risk of activation. So you should go ahead and get her treated. My advice is that it should be taken under supervision of a physician.

No there is nothing more you need to do for her. Let her rest for first 2 to 3 weeks of starting her treatment and then she can continue with her sports and other activities.

Hope it helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Shashi Dangwal

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :1979

Answered : 1157 Questions

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Is Latent Tuberculosis In Children A Cause For Concern?

Brief Answer: She should be given isoniazide treatment. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXX, Yes you are right-latent TB means that she has TB infection which is not active ie she does not have TB disease. However there is a risk of it getting active in future. So currently nothing much to worry. Was the basis of diagnosis a tuberculin skin test or a blood test? However treatment with isoniazide is recommended to reduce the risk of activation. So you should go ahead and get her treated. My advice is that it should be taken under supervision of a physician. No there is nothing more you need to do for her. Let her rest for first 2 to 3 weeks of starting her treatment and then she can continue with her sports and other activities. Hope it helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.