Children exposed to tuberculosis.

              Your child has been exposed to someone with active tuberculosis disease. Your child’s TB skin test is negative now, but to prevent
the development of TB disease, your child may need to take medications and be re-evaluated for TB infection/disease in 3
months. The state of Oklahoma TB Medical Consultant, who is a doctor and a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of tuber-culosis
will evaluate your child’s care.
Children with tuberculosis exposure may be placed on Directly Observed Preventive Therapy (DOPT). DOPT means that a health
department representative will deliver TB medicine, at a time a place convenient for the child and parent, to observe the parent
giving the child his/her medication to assure medication is swallowed.
TB is a dangerous disease because the germ that causes the infections has the ability to turn into active diseases quickly, espe-cially
if people do not take the medications as ordered.
To give the medications do the following:
• Crush pills or open capsules
• Put the contents into a small amount of something sweet and thick, such as chocolate pudding, applesauce, banana
baby food, jam or anything your child likes.
• All medications will be given at the same time and location as agreed upon.
There are some side effects associated with TB medicines?
• Allergic reactions — If a rash develops, call the county health department immediately and inform the DOT provider.
• Report immediately yellowing of the eyes and skin, loss of appetite, low energy, vomiting or belly paint to the county
health department nurse.
Plan for follow-up:
Every month you will need to bring your child to the local county health department for:
• A symptom review, weight and physical exam
• Three months after your child is no longer exposed to TB we will repeat the TB skin test and/or the chest x-ray. If
the x-ray is negative, and the doctor orders it, we can stop the medication. If the x-ray is positive we will continue
the medication for as long as the doctors prescribes. A nurse at the local county health department must place
and read the skin test.
Contact:_________________________________________ County Health Department
__________________________________________ Phone
Children Exposed to Tuberculosis
OSDH 10/05
Public Health
Fact Sheet
Public Health
Fact Sheet
For further information call or visit us on the World Wide Web
Acute Disease Service
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Phone (405) 271-4060
http://ads.health.ok.gov