Tuberculosis (TB) is a really serious illness, but its early signs are often missed or mistaken for something less concerning. In fact, many people ignore the symptoms, thinking they’re nothing to worry about. However, pregnancy isn’t the time to take chances with one’s health. A pregnant woman’s body constantly undergoes changes, and this can make her extremely vulnerable to infections like TB. So, for pregnant women, ignoring the signs of serious illnesses like TB isn’t an option. Early detection and treatment of tuberculosis in pregnancy are extremely vital in order to safeguard the health of both the mother and her baby.
In this article, we shall take a quick look at the effects of TB on pregnancy and how the Mantoux test plays a key role in the early detection of this serious bacterial infection.
As stated earlier, tuberculosis (usually referred to as TB) is a highly infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Though it usually strikes the lungs, it can also impact other parts of the body, such as the brain, spine or even kidneys. TB can actually become fatal if not treated in time, which is why it is vital to seek early diagnosis and treatment.
The TB bacteria can stay dormant in infected people who have a strong immune system. Such cases are called inactive tuberculosis, or latent TB. The infected will not show any signs of having TB, and they are not at all contagious. However, if the immune system of an infected person weakens, the TB bacteria will begin to grow and spread. This is called active TB. During this time, the infected will start to notice symptoms of the disease, and they will be very highly contagious. TB germs can spread through the air when someone with active TB in their lungs or throat coughs, talks, or sings, and these germs can stay in the air for hours.
The effect of TB on pregnancy largely depends on whether the infection is latent or active, with active TB posing a much greater risk to both the mother and the baby. If a pregnant woman has been diagnosed with inactive TB, then the treatment can be delayed until 2-3 months after the delivery of the child. On the other hand, if she has been diagnosed with active TB during pregnancy, then she will require immediate medical treatment to prevent any complications.
● Women with active TB often give birth to babies with low birth weight, which could lead to growth and developmental issues.
● There is an increased risk of preterm/premature birth, stillbirth and miscarriage.
● Delayed treatment could lead to the expectant mother getting serious health issues, like lung damage.
● In rare cases, the baby could be born with congenital TB.
Therefore, TB is a serious illness during pregnancy and tuberculosis screening is extremely vital for ensuring the health and safety of the mother and her baby.
Given below are the symptoms of TB that pregnant women should watch out for:
● Persistent cough, often lasting for more than two weeks
● Difficulty breathing
● Pain in the chest
● Fatigue
● Coughing up mucus or blood
● Fever
● Weight loss
● Swollen lymph nodes
● Loss of appetite
● Chills
● Night Sweats
Early diagnosis is crucial, and a TB test in pregnancy can help detect the infection before it poses a serious risk to the mother and baby. Here’s a list of key tests commonly used to diagnose tuberculosis during pregnancy:
1. A skin test, commonly referred to as the Mantoux test, is used to confirm the presence of TB bacteria based on the observed reaction.
2. Blood and mucus tests can detect the presence of TB bacteria.
3. Chest X-rays are performed under extreme care and supervision to minimise the risk to the fetus.
An In-depth Look At the Efficacy of the Mantoux Test During Pregnancy
The presence of TB bacteria can be quite easily detected by taking the Mantoux test during pregnancy. This test, also called the tuberculin skin test (TST), helps find out if someone has been exposed to TB and might be at risk of getting sick later. A small dose of PPD (a protein derived from the TB bacteria) is injected under the skin, usually on the inner side of the forearm.
Yes, the Mantoux test is quite safe for pregnant women. Apart from experiencing slight discomfort or itching at the injection site, there are usually no serious side effects.
By helping catch TB early, the Mantoux test plays a quiet but important role in making pregnancy safer. The Mantoux test is a simple and safe way to check if a pregnant woman has ever been exposed to TB. Pregnant women who are at higher risk, such as those in close contact with TB patients or with weaker immunity, are often advised to get tested. The test results help in charting out appropriate treatment paths.
1. First, the healthcare provider will inject a small amount of PPD, usually on the inner forearm just under the skin.
2. An observation period of 48 to 72 hours will be required, during which the injected site will be kept untouched.
3. Once the observation period has been completed, the reaction to the injection will be examined. There will be a raised red area at the place of the test injection. The diameter of this bump will be measured.
4. The results are then interpreted based on the size of the raised area, along with the individual's medical history and chances of TB exposure.
The Mantoux test result depends largely on the size of the raised red spot that occurs as a reaction to the PPD injection. The size of this bump is measured in millimetres. Here’s how the test results are formulated:
A negative result occurs when no reaction or bump occurs at the test site or when the bump is less than 5 mm. This indicates that the pregnant woman has never had an infection caused by the TB bacterium.
A positive result occurs when the bump is greater than 5 mm.
This is an incorrect positive result that occurs if the pregnant woman has received the BCG vaccine in the past.
A false negative result usually occurs when the body’s immune system fails to react to the PPD injection.
To protect the mother and her unborn baby from a serious illness like TB, it is vital to be informed of the symptoms to watch out for and be prepared to undertake diagnostic tests like the Mantoux skin test at the earliest. By doing so, serious health complications can be prevented for both.
