ACTUAL ISSUES OF TUBERCULOSIS IN ADOLESCENTS EXPOSED TO TUBERCULOSIS INFECTION

Abstract

The article characterizes respiratory tuberculosis in adolescents exposed to tuberculous infection. Exposure to tuberculosis in the family or when contacting close relatives makes the biggest contribution into development of the disease unless the patient is isolated from those exposed. Advanced and severe forms of tuberculosis with bacillary excretion are detected, compromising the life quality of adolescents. The main causes of late diagnostics are poor performance of TB services, primary medical units, low level of health education aimed at the increase of motivation to have planned medical examinations in the general population and to take relevant sanitary and hygienic measures in the sites of infection. Adolescents from the sites with bacillary excretion, and, first of all, if multiple or extensive drug resistant tuberculosis is detected, are to be considered a high priority group facing the risk to develop the disease with more frequent monitoring and deeper examination. In primary medical units, should any sings typical of tuberculosis be presented, it is sensible to add skin tests (Mantoux test and test with tuberculous recombinant allergen) to the minimum diagnostic procedures. Organizational, methodical and health education activities in the sites of infection are to be improved.