Other than chest x-ray, what test should be done for cough?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have attached an X-ray report of my one-year-old baby girl. The report says ill-defined haziness is seen in the right perihilar and para-cardiac regions - pneumonitis. What does this mean? She has cough for the last five days. My mom is suffering from active tuberculosis. So, an X-ray was suggested, and the consulting doctor was out of town for the next two days. What should be done next?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. See as you said, your mother is suffering from active TB (tuberculosis), TB in the child should also be ruled out first. It may be just pneumonia, but TB should be ruled out with some more investigations mentioned below.

1.Mantoux test.

2. Complete blood count.

3. Gastric aspirate for AFB (acid fast bacilli).

I would suggest antibiotics for seven days. Is the child gaining weight adequately? What is her present weight? Was BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) given at birth? When was your mother diagnosed and when did her TB treatment started?

Revert with answers to the above questions.