Currently, there is epidemiological alarm in Venezuela due to the increase in cases of tuberculosis in children, informed an infectologist at JM de Los Ríos. The expert indicated that the reach of the child population is due to the increase in the disease in adults. On the other hand, she pointed out that the disease is treatable if it is diagnosed in time
Tuberculosis has become a health problem in Venezuela. The increase in cases in the country made it manifest in children. “Right now we are having a very significant increase in cases of tuberculosis in children. The epidemiological alarm is on,” he warned. Andreina Yanespediatric infectologist, this Friday, March 3, during an interview in Union Radio.
In recent years there has been a significant increase in the incidence of tuberculosis, in general, in the population in Venezuela. As cases increase in adults –the first transmitters of this pathology– children are also affected: pediatric patients can also have tuberculosis”, explained the specialist.
Yanes clarified that this infection –which mainly affects the lungs– does not occur only in adults, populations living in poverty, in prisons or with immunological diseases, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
*Read also: Detection and treatment of HIV and tuberculosis are deficient in Venezuela
manifestations of tuberculosis
He also explained that the clinical manifestations in infants can be: meningitis, febrile syndrome without identification, nodal and pulmonary presentation.
He cautioned that this can present itself in so many different ways that if the doctor doesn’t suspect it, it may go unnoticed.
“The diagnosis of the disease is not so simple sometimes. First, the purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test is done, if it reacts, the child had the disease at some point. Then, more modern specific tests are done, such as PCR (C-Reactive Protein test), to confirm if they are infected. But, in Venezuela, access to these is not so easy,” explained the doctor who works at the JM de Los Ríos Children’s Hospital.
Finally, he reported that the disease is treatable, provided that “it is diagnosed on time” and the appropriate treatment is applied, “in the times that the patient requires.”
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