Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs. It spreads through the air when a person with TB disease sneezes, coughs or talks. TB usually attacks the lungs, but it can also infect other areas of the body such as the brain, kidney, lymph nodes or spine.

Most TB cases in children are seen in those under the age of 5 years old and in adolescents aged 10 to 14 years old. Children with weakened immune systems (especially those with HIV) are at high risk for developing TB disease, but it can occur in children with no other health problems. 

There are two types of tuberculosis: 

  • Latent tuberculosis infection. Children with latent TB infection have TB bacteria infecting their bodies but not multiplying rapidly and causing disease. These children are not infectious and cannot spread TB bacteria to others. They have no symptoms of illness but are at high risk for developing TB disease if they are not treated for the infection.
  • Tuberculosis disease. Children typically develop TB disease within two years of being infected. They are sick from TB bacteria that multiply rapidly, spread and damage organs and tissues. In children with TB disease, the bacteria cause symptoms and can spread to others. 

Common symptoms of TB disease include:

  • A cough with mucus from the lungs for more than three weeks
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fever, chills and night sweats
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Diagnosis of Tuberculosis

The most common test for diagnosing tuberculosis is a TB skin test. For this test, a small amount of TB protein (antigens) is placed under the top layer of skin on your child’s inner forearm. A positive result indicates TB infection. In children 5 years old or older, blood tests can also be used to diagnose TB infection. Children with TB infection documented by a skin or blood test must have a full physical exam and chest X-ray completed to evaluate for TB disease in the lungs.

Treatments

Most TB cases are cured with antibiotic medicines. The type of antibiotic and length of treatment depends on the: 

  • Child’s age
  • Child’s overall health
  • Location of the infection
  • Drug resistance pattern of the TB bacterium

The typical length of time for a course of TB antibiotics is six to nine months, but drug-resistant TB can take much longer to treat.

TB bacteria may develop resistance to antibiotics. It is important that the full course of medicine be taken in order for tuberculosis to be cured and to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Key Points to Remember

  • Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that spreads through the air when a person with TB disease sneezes, coughs or talks.
  • A child with latent TB infection has TB bacteria in his or her body but shows no symptoms and cannot spread TB bacteria to others.
  • Children with TB disease typically have symptoms and can spread the disease to others. 
  • Antibiotic medicines are used to treat TB.
  • TB bacteria can develop a resistance to antibiotics.

Support Services & Resources

For more information about tuberculosis, please visit the resources below:

Riley at IU Health offers a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.

Learn More About Riley Support Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

This government website provides extensive information about tuberculosis.

Locations

Locations

In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.

Sort through 3 facilities offering Tuberculosis care by entering your city or zip below.

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