What does a pediatric phthisiatrician do, what diseases does he work on, when should he be visited

Pediatric phthisiologist – what he treats, when to contact him

A pediatric phthisiologist is a narrow specialist who diagnoses, treats and gives recommendations on the prevention of tuberculosis. This specialist is usually consulted after a Mantoux test is performed, when the child has a positive one. But the parents themselves can (and even should) regularly bring their child to the doctor – this can be a paid consultation with a phthisiologist or a visit to a specialist in a polyclinic free of charge. In any case, such vigilance of the parents will help to timely detect the onset of tuberculosis, because this disease is one of the most common in terms of prevalence.

We found out what kind of doctor a phthisiologist is and what he treats – now it’s time to find out what may be the reason for a visit to him.

Reasons to see a TB doctor

Parents should visit a TB doctor if their child has:

• an increase in body temperature to subfebrile without apparent reasons and for a long time;
• general weakness and increased fatigue, although the load on the child's body has not been increased;
• decreased appetite, up to a complete refusal to eat, and weight loss;
• increased sweating.

It is imperative to make an appointment with a TB doctor by phone if there is a cough with sputum, in which there are streaks of blood - this is one of the pronounced signs of tuberculosis, although it may also mean the development of other diseases.

It is mandatory to take the child to a specialist in case of contact with a patient with tuberculosis. In addition, there are several more points that are mandatory reasons for visiting a TB doctor:

• the Mantoux test at school showed the first positive reaction (there was no such reaction for several years before);
• compared to the previous result, the papule has increased by 6 mm or more;
• within 3-5 years, the compaction either persists or has increased by 10 mm or more;
• a hyperergic reaction is noted.

A referral to a phthisiologist is given by a district pediatrician.

More information about when a phthisiologist consultation is necessary can be found on our website Dobrobut.com.

The feasibility of refusing a phthisiologist

It has become fashionable to refuse vaccination of children, including anti-tuberculosis vaccinations, samples. BCG vaccination, which is given to a child once in a lifetime in a maternity hospital, is very important for protecting a small child from severe forms of tuberculosis infection, such as, for example, cerebral tuberculosis. Refusing to see a phthisiologist is the first step to infection with the tuberculosis pathogen, because this disease is transmitted by airborne droplets, and no one will keep a child in a sterile cap. A child's body is very sensitive to various diseases, and even being near a tuberculosis patient can lead to dire consequences. And can parents guarantee that passersby, people sitting on the bus, and neighbors do not have tuberculosis?

Parents can refuse vaccination, but given the increasing prevalence of tuberculosis, this decision will be wrong.

Visiting a pediatric phthisiologist is not a sentence. But if necessary, this specialist will be able to prescribe tuberculosis prophylaxis, making the risk of developing this disease even after contact with a tuberculosis patient minimal.

Article author / reviewer - Rykova Stanislava Oleksandrivna