Can Children Have Bone TB

Can Children Have Bone TB?

Do you have TB and thus, you are worried about your child? You have come to the right place. To know everything about Bone TB, consider this article.

What is TB?

TB is a short form of Tuberculosis. This is a bacterial infection. It primarily affects the lungs of the infected person though it can also spread to other parts like bones, joints, the brain, the spine, etc.

TB is caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. This bacterium can get inside a human being’s body through the air.

Tuberculosis conditions are of two types:

  • Pulmonary
  • Extrapulmonary

Pulmonary tuberculosis is related to the lungs while extrapulmonary tuberculosis is related to any other part of the body.

What is bone TB?

Usually, TB affects the lungs, but it can also spread to the skeletal system of the infected person. When normal TB spreads to the bones, it is known as skeletal tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis spreads to bones through the circulatory system of the infected person.

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What does bone TB do to your bones?

Bone TB makes bones weaker, causing pain, deformities, and fractures if not treated.

Thus, if you have the condition of Bone TB, your bones will slowly-slowly become weak and weak in strength. They will start being porous. Thus, bone TB will ultimately give rise to osteoporosis along with other typical complications.

If your TB has reached the spine, it becomes fatal. It needs medical attention as soon as possible. The contraction of TB in the spinal components can cause conditions like stress fracture, spinal compression, and spondylolisthesis—when one vertebra falls over another below in front.

Thus, in short, bone TB weakens bones making them susceptible to various skeletal conditions.

Symptoms of bone tuberculosis

The following are the symptoms of bone TB:

  • Intense back pain
  • Stiffness
  • Weakness
  • Mobility difficulties
  • Inflammation of soft-tissues
  • Paralysis
  • Kyphosis
  • Spinal deformities

If you have a cough and cold that has lasted for a really long time and now you have also started developing any of the preceding symptoms, consult an orthopedic specialist right away.

You might have skeletal tuberculosis. If you are positive for bone TB and you have overlooked it, it could be fatal.

Can bone TB occur in children?

Yes, children can have bone TB.

It will always start with the lungs and then gradually spread through the circulatory system to the other parts of the body like your bones and joints causing a condition, known as, bone TB.

A child will face all the symptoms of bone TB as any other adult suffering from the same condition.

If the child is very young, the medical intervention might differ in quantity, quality and frequency. However, it also depends on the condition of the affected child and the approach a doctor considers the best to treat it.

Are children more susceptible to bone TB?

Children are not necessarily more susceptible to bone TB compared to adults. However, if a child’s immune system is already compromised, they could be at a higher risk of getting this infection from the already infected sources.

If you want to keep your child safe from TB, make sure you rule out all possibilities of this condition through monthly check-ups. Vaccination and early diagnosis are the two most crucial tactics to fight off TB infection.

Treatments

If someone is suffering from bone TB, it means the condition has already advanced so much. Bone TB is the aggravation of lung TB. When the bacteria of TB spreads from the lungs to the bones, this is called bone TB.

It is an advanced stage of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

For the treatment of bone TB in an adult, a doctor can use anti-tuberculosis drugs, injections of corticosteroids and surgery.

Corticosteroid injections are mainly used to relieve inflammatory issues. These injections are given so as to ensure that the condition of bone TB doesn’t complicate too much.

Surgical interventions are performed for the removal of the highly infected part of the body.

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How to prevent bone TB

Do you want to prevent bone tuberculosis (TB)? Then, you will have to start with preventing pulmonary tuberculosis. It is basically because bone TB is an advancement of lung TB.

Consider the following advice.

Vaccination: TB vaccination is essential. It will help your child stay away from lung as well as bone TB.

Healthy Lifestyle: Lifestyle choices affect the immune system significantly. A strong immune system can help your body fight off TB infection. Thus, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and manage stress to support your immune system.

Active Contraction Prevention: If you’re in close contact with someone who has active TB, taking precautions such as wearing a mask and maintaining good ventilation can help prevent transmission. However, it is the best policy to stay away from an infected human being.

Screening: Furthermore, suppose you are doubtful about the infection. In that case, you can go for regular screening. It will help keep possible advancements of Lung TB in check by early diagnosis and treatment.

Substance Abuse: Avoid substance abuse like smoking, alcoholism, and drugs. These behaviours weaken the immune system and make you more susceptible to infections as compared to a person who stays away from all sorts of psychoactive substances.

If you have already caught the infection, see the right doctor to start and complete your treatment till the end. TB can be well managed after contraction if you follow all the instructions of your doctor post-diagnosis properly.

Remember that TB is curable with appropriate medical care.

Conclusion

Well, unfortunately, the answer is positive. A child can have bone TB like an adult. But, there is nothing to worry about. With the right treatment, even the stage of bone TB can be cured well without many complications.

Consult an experienced bone specialist. And, they will help cure skeletal tuberculosis well out of your child’s bones.