24/03/2026
Tuberculosis (TB) in children is an infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lungs (called pulmonary TB) but can also spread to other parts of the body like the brain, bones, or lymph nodes.
🦠 What causes TB in children?
Children usually catch TB by breathing in germs from someone (often an adult) who has active TB and is coughing. It is not spread through sharing food or touching.
👶 Why children are more vulnerable
Young children, especially under 5, have weaker immune systems. This makes them more likely to:
Develop active TB disease quickly after infection
Get severe forms like TB meningitis (infection of the brain) or miliary TB (spread throughout the body)
⚠️ Common symptoms in children
Symptoms can be mild and easy to miss:
Persistent cough (lasting more than 2–3 weeks)
Fever (often low-grade, long-lasting)
Night sweats
Weight loss or poor weight gain
Fatigue or reduced playfulness
Swollen lymph nodes (especially in the neck)
In severe cases:
Difficulty breathing
Seizures (if the brain is affected)
🔍 Types of TB in children
Latent TB infection (LTBI): The child has the bacteria but no symptoms and is not contagious
Active TB disease: The child is sick and needs treatment
🧪 How TB is diagnosed
Diagnosing TB in children can be challenging. Doctors may use:
Medical history and physical exam
Chest X-ray
Tuberculin skin test (Mantoux test) or blood tests
Sputum or gastric samples (to detect the bacteria)
🛡️ Prevention
BCG vaccine (given at birth in many countries, including Cameroon) helps protect against severe TB in children
Early detection and treatment of infected adults
Good ventilation in homes
🚨 When to seek medical care
Take a child to a healthcare provider if they have:
A cough lasting more than 2 weeks
Unexplained weight loss
Close contact with some
