TB disease is treated with medicines. (read more about TB treatment here). Treatment is started at hospital in a children’s ward. If the child’s TB disease can spread to others, the child is first treated in an isolation room. When there is no more risk of infecting others and the child’s condition is good, medication continues at home.
The child will visit the hospital regularly so that the health staff can monitor the treatment and its effect on child’s health. Blood samples are collected every 1-2 months. X-rays are taken a few times during treatment and at the end of it. The child will also be checked by the doctor. If the child is older or an adolescent, sputum samples will be examined.
Taking medicines can sometimes feel hard or one may forget to take them. The child may also get adverse effects from the medicines. This is why a nurse will monitor how the child feels and will be present when the child takes the medicines in the hospital and also after the hospital period. It will be agreed with the nurse how the medicines are taken at home. Usually the child will meet the nurse 5-7 times a week. Depending on the situation, the child will go to take the medicines at a health station or, for example, in school health care. In some cases, a home care nurse can give the medicines at home. This is done to make sure that the child is cured. At the same time, this will prevent the bacteria from becoming resistant to medicines.