All About Primary Complex

[Mommyjazz]

My 4 y.o. daughter was diagnosed with PTB. Now we're treating her as per her Pedia's advice and prescription. Pano kaya niya nakuha yon when no family member has TB? Saan kaya siya na-expose? She's happy, energetic and I can't even remember the last time she got sick or had cough and cold. She has very poor appetite since she was 2 and appetite enhancing medicines didn't work much for her. She had skin test for PTB but it was vague kasi exactong 8mm yung skin reaction niya so hindi ma-consider or ma-rule out. It was when appebon and heraclene didn't work for her, her Pedia adviced us to have her x-rayed na and guess how shocked we were learning she's positive.
I was told common daw ito dito sa atin. Any stories you can share?

[myla217]

Common symptoms of PC are: fever of unknown origin, cough na pabalik balik & significant weight loss.  It's good that you paid attention to her poor appetite that was somehow indicative of PC also. 
When I was still a nurse (sa past life ko...), I learned that PTB is prevalent here sa Pinas dahil sa overcrowded living areas that increases the risk of acquiring the infection simply because this allows larger  contact with infected persons.  Nakakahawa kasi ito through droplet infection.  Suppose to be, there should be a constant exposure to the infected person bago ka mahawa not unless very weak ang immune system mo that you get the disease from a single contact lang.
In your daughter's case, if the entire household is negative, then the second in line should be the school.  If not, then it could be anywhere like the crowded malls, movie houses, etc.
Nakakapraning na talaga kung minsan.  The good thing about PC is that it could be easily treated na and has very good prognosis.

[Mommyjazz]

Sabi nga ng Pedia niya, it can be passed on from a long-time exposure to an infected adult. No one at home has TB, or maybe yung lang ang alam namin since walang ubuhin and nobody smokes, but could it be possible that someone's positive nga kahit hindi inuubo? What are the other symptoms of TB? All household members are healthy naman. I'm worried kasi we have a baby at home and if the adult carrier is a family member, baka pati yung baby mahawa. I guess my husband and I better get a skin test.

[Mommy Martha]

Hi mommy jazz,

I'm not a doctor (but hubby is so feeling doctora na rin ako  . . . hahaha!
When my eldest was diagnosed with primary complex about 2 years ago, she was about 3 1/2 then, we were surprised also. But then we suspected that maybe my husband brought it in our house from PGH. Then, we had the yaya xrayed and we requested the teachers to have themselves xrayed to as we were trying to trace where our daughter got the PC. We never got to trace it as to who was the culprit.

But hope the research below helps.

Source: http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/infectious_diseases/tuberculosis.asp

How does Tuberculosis occur ?
TB is prevalent in areas with low socio-economic status and is predisposed due to overcrowding, poverty, poor ventilation, unhygienic living conditions and close contact with patients having tuberculosis. The most common way of acquiring the infection is by droplet or through air. The germs of TB enter the respiratory tract (breathing passages) into the lungs and after a period of 4 to 8 weeks develop a focus in the lungs. This focus is known as primary focus. The infection spreads to the adjacent gland (lymph node) and the primary focus with involvement of adjacent gland is called as Primary Complex. Untreated, the disease then spreads to other organs of the body through blood leading to TB of various organ such as brain (TB meningitis), other glands (TB lymphadenopathy) and even spread to other areas of the lungs.
     In Western and developed countries primary TB occurs in teenage period whereas in developing countries, infection may occur much earlier.

Does every person exposed to the TB bacteria get the infection ?
Infection with TB bacteria varies from person to person. In some individuals exposed to TB germ, no infection may occur. Some individuals may develop the infection but the body’s immunity may take care of it and there may be no disease. Some individuals may develop infection and form primary complex but again may be self-contained and there may be no progression. It is called as silent primary infection. Here the TB germs may remain dormant and become active when the person’s immunity decreases. In patients with lower immunity, the disease may progress and cause symptoms and problems.
     In adults, who had developed primary complex in childhood and with lowering of immunity, there may be reactivation of dormant bacteria that can lead to TB of lungs forming a cavity in the lungs and is called as secondary or Reactivation Tuberculosis.

What are the symptoms of TB ?
Patients with silent primary infection have no symptoms. They are incidentally detected on a tuberculin test. Patients with progressive disease present with fever which is especially more at nights, cough, pneumonia (which does not resolve with antibiotics), pain in chest, poor appetite, loss of weight, weakness and fatigue.
     In patients with TB of the lymph nodes (glands), there may be enlargement of the glands leading to swellings in neck or cough if involving glands in the lungs.
     In patients with TB of the intestine, there may be diarrhea or constipation, pain in abdomen and malabsorption additionally.
     TB of the brain may present with fever, headache, vomiting, loss of appetite, fits (seizures) and even coma. Accumulation of water in brain cavity (hydrocephalus) can also occur.
     Rarely TB may affect bones and joints. Involvement of spine may lead to paralysis.

Can TB be prevented ?
BCG vaccine has been used for prevention of severe forms of TB. BCG does not prevent infection with the TB bacteria but it reduces the progression of the disease and hence TB of other organs is less common in patients vaccinated with BCG.

How is the diagnosis of TB made ?
Tuberculin test is a skin test where an injection of modified TB vaccine is injected in a minute dose in the skin. The test is then read after 48 hours. A positive test suggests that the person had an infection by TB which may be silent primary disease or may be due to progressive disease.
     However, a negative test does not exclude TB. In 25-50% of children with TB, the test may be negative.
     Others laboratory tests such as X-ray of the chest is necessary. The TB bacterium can be isolated from sputum or other body fluids. Most important in children is to find the adult source of TB in the family as TB in children is usually due to inhalation of the germs from an adult infected patient.

[myla217]

I guess my husband and I better get a skin test.

mommyjazz,

i think it would be best talaga to have the entire household tested kasi nga minsan walang evident symptom pero infected na pala.  especially with a baby around, mas delikado.  though vaccinated with bcg na, it doesn't guarantee total protection daw.  if the carrier is really nakakahawa (active PTB talaga) and has not started treatment pa rin, then its not safe at all to have continuous exposure to that person.

mommy martha's info really helps.  thanks much...

may all of us stay healthy...especially the kids....

[lian]

it was really shocking when i found out that my 5 month old baby boy was diagnosed of this ptb (cry to death). don't worry kayang kayang ng magamot ang ptb. do not miss the 6 months medication. be sure on time palagi. i know how you feel talagang nkakapraning pag may sakit ang anak.after the medication i assure you that appebon will work n s baby mo. My baby now is 2yrs and 5 months n at ok n weight nya.   

[Mina]

Hi moms 

Ang alam ko po kasi sa primary complex, its like a milder version of tubeculosis (also the reason why primary complex and tb has the same prescribed antibiotics), you never really get to get rid of it completely, it just becomes dormant, pero it's still there. Like yung babies nyo po na merong primary complex, when they become adults, they become carriers. Wala syang symptoms in adults (carriers lang), sa kids lang talaga nagmamanifest yung symptoms. Like in the case of my mom, lahat kaming magkakapatid nagkaron because of her. Maybe you should ask your moms if you had it or your byenans if your husbands had it para medyo prepared na kayo.

[Mommyjazz]

My 4 yr old daughter is undergoing treatment for PTB for over a month now. Regular ang take niya ng meds. Since we started treatment, she's complaining of stomach ache in the morning. Lately, pag masyado nang masakit, she throws up. Her Pedia said bihira daw yung ganong case but my nephew also gets tummy ache and throws up when he was being treated 2 years ago. For now, we're treating it as hyperacidity and was prescribed Maalox, 30 mins before her morning meds and we give her light breakfast 1hour after the meds. We're still observing her.
Anybody with the same experience?

[acmomcee]

Mommies!
Just read this portion..thank God!
My baby was diagnosed with PTB also..
I am worried that the medicines will harm my baby..
do i really have to give her the 3 medicines mentioned?
And ang worry ko pa po is paalis na po kase kame sa March..susunduin na kame ni hubby for London..
Eh baka po hindi kame makaalis of malaman nila na nagmemedication ang baby ko..
Help Mommies! I want to have a 2nd opinion..
God Bless!

[Mommyjazz]

Yes, she need to take the 3 meds/day. There could be complains on the first few days but she will get used to it before the week ends. Besides, the medicines come in fruity flavors banana, strawberry and peach. Take with you the doctor's prescription and maybe Doctor's findings/baby's record why she needs to take those medications. Also secure a letter from your Pedia that the child is fit to travel. This is for the customs in London to check if he finds the medicines in your hand carried luggage. In some countries, you need to present a prescription before bringing in a type of medicine. To be sure, see if you can secure a medical permission or a written acknowledgement from the airport doctor (after you check in) that you are allowed to carry it on board.

[gabneth]

pano ba nalalaman if may primary complex ?  i mean bago ipa xray and skin test... ano ba and signs and symptoms ng PC? my youngest son kasi e walang gana kumain... binigyan sya ng pedia ng vitamins na pampagana daw.

[gabneth]

thanks mommy, my god may kulani nga ang youngest ko sa may upper portion ng batok nya  ....nanginginig tuloy ako.... first birthday pa naman nya tom.... what if positive nga sya sa PC.... sa saturday ang bday celebration nya... pano pa kami makakapag enjoy pag ganon...ano kaya best ko gawin dalin ko na ulit sya sa pedia para maka pagrequest kami ng xray tom or better na sa monday na lang?    possible kaya na naging cause non  if positive nga e dahil may nag smoke dito sa haus... si FIL kasi naninigarilyo.....siguro pati yong eldest ko ipa xray ko na din.... breastfeeding ako sa youngest ko till now...  kala ko malakas resistensya if BF.....haaay naku natatakot tuloy ako....

[Mommyjazz]

Have him checked and treated after the Birthday. Most probably nga dahil sa smoker sa bahay and maybe he has TB and doesn't know it. Don't worry too much. Nagagamot na ang PTB ngayon. I also BF and my Pedia told me that TB can be transferred through BFding. Even if I don't have signs of TB, I had myself Xrayed, negative naman. We suspect my daughter got it from her former teacher.

[mj cutie]

i can relate to this topic with feelings....

May nakuha akong yaya na PTB Positive pala at four months namin siyang nakasama. July 2006 siya nag start and October na namin nalaman na may sakit siya. kaya pala hindi gumagaling yung ubo, akala ko nanibago lang sa klima sa manila since galing siya sa probinsiya.  Nung nilalagnat na siya nung October, pinacheck up ko na. nung hindi tumalab ang seven day antibiotic treatment, nagtaka na ko and had her xrayd. Dun ko nalaman na PTB positive pala siya.  Sobrang nagpanic ako so immediately nag pacheck up at pa xray kaming mag ina at ang nanay ko (nasa abroad ang husband ko so kaming mag iina lang ang naexpose). Luckily, normal ang chest xrays namin, however, positive yung skin test namin, so under medication pa rin kami ng baby ko for 6 months. Mag three months na kaming under medication so three months na lang. Yehey.

Lesson na natutunan ko is to be very careful when choosing a yaya.  Parati naman akong nag papa xray pag may bagong yaya. ewan ko ba kung kelan ako nag relax tsaka ako nalusutan ng may PTB.

Pero sabi nung Doctor, talagang malaki ang posibility ng exposure kapag nasa Pinas ka at maski mag random sampling ka pa ng skin test sa mga tao, karamihan mag pa positive which means that at one point in their lives ay na expose sila sa may sakit na PTB.  Pero sabi niya na baka bumaba na ang rate ng PTB infection sa Pinas in the coming years kasi maganda naman daw ang programa ng gobyerno to eradicate this.  I hope so.  kasi nakakatakot naman to know na sobrang malaki ang chance natin to be exposed sa sakit na to everyday.

[twin_mom]

I have a twin daughter age 6, pinacheck up ko sila then xray, sabi ng dr primary complex sila , ok lang ba na give ko pa din yung vitamins nila kahit umiinom na sila ng gamot? ang hirap paninumin, panay nila sinusuka, ano ba dapt kung gawin ang mahal kaya ng gamot na yun............