Purified Protein Derivative (PPD)

                        Purified Protein Derivative (PPD)                                  Skin Test for Tuberculosis                          TB disease in children under 15 years of age ( also called pediatric tuberculosis ) is a public health problem of special significance because it is a marker for recent transmission of TB. Also, of special significance, infants and young children are more likely than older children and adults to develop life-threatening forms of  TB disease (e.g., disseminated TB, TB meningitis). Among children, the greatest numbers of TB cases are seen in children young than 5 years of age, and in adolescents older than 10 years of age. in 2021, U,S. state, local, and territorial health agencies reported a total of 7,882 TB cases to CDC. in 2021, there were 317 case of TB disease among children ages 14 years or younger in the united states. Overall, in 2021, 4% of U.S. TB cases occurred among children less than 15 years of age. Males continued to represent the majority (61.3%) of persons with TB disease overall. the percentage was greater for males compared with females for each age group, except for children 5 to 14 years old (46% males and 54% females). Basic TB facts TB is caused by a bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB bacteria are spread from person to person through the air. the TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. people with TB disease of the lungs or throat can spread bacteria to others with whom they spend time every day. however, children are less likely to spread TB bacteria to others. this is because the forms of TB disease most commonly seen in children are usually less infectious than the forms seenin adults. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria become sick. As a result, two TB- related conditions exist:latent TB infection and TB disease. latent TB infection persons with latent TB infection:Usually have a skin test or blood test indicating TB infection; Have TB bacteria in their bodies, but the bacteria are not active; are not sick and do not have symptoms; cannot spread bacteria to others; and are often given medicine to prevent them from developing TB disease. Testing for TB children in the absence of symptoms, usually the only sign of TB infection is a positive reaction to the TB skin test or TB blood test. TB skin testing is considered safe in children and is preferred over TB blood tests for children less than 5 years of age. More Testing for TB All children with a positive test for TB infection, symptoms f TB, or a history of contact with a person with infectious TB disease should undergo a medical evaluation. medical evaluations for TB disease include a chest x-ray and physical examination to exclude TB disease and must be done before beginning treatment for latent TB infection. for more information on where to get a TB test, contact your state TB control program. signs and symptoms of TB disease in children include: cough; Feelings of sickness or weakness, lethargy, or reduced playfulness; weight loss or failure to thrive; fever;or night sweats. The most common from of TB disease occurs in the lungs, but TB disease can affect other parts of the body as well. symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the body depend  on the area affected. infants, young children, and immunocompromised children ( e.g., children with HIV ) are at the highest risk of developing the most severe forms of TB such of TB such as TB meningitis or disseminated TB disease. Treatment A pediatric TB expert should be involved in the treatment of TB in children and in the management of infants, young children, and immunocompromised children who have been exposed to someone with infectious TB disease. it is very important that children or anyone being treated for latent TB infection or TB disease finish the medicine and take the drugs exactly as instructed. vaccines BGC, or bacille Calmette-Guerin, is a vaccine to prevent TB disease. BGC is used in many countries to prevent childhood TB disease. however, the BGC vaccine is not generally used in the United states, beause of the low risk of infection with TB bacteria and the variable effectiveness of the vaccine. the BGC vaccine should only be considered for very select persons who meet specific criteria and in consultation with a TB doctor.