Presumptive TB patients attending the TB Diagnostic centre (TDC) will be referred for sputum examination at the same facility. The patients are given the sputum container with laboratory serial number written on its side. The patient is:
Figure: Sputum Collection Process
Provide an overview of the sputum collection process from dispensing the sputum cup to handover to the health facility.
In Paediatric TB patients (0–18 years) - diagnosis is difficult and different in comparison to TB occurring in adult patients.
Extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) is TB involving any part of the body other than the lungs, e.g., pleura, lymph nodes, abdomen, genitourinary tract, skin, joints, bones, meninges and other sites. A case of Presumptive Extra Pulmonary TB is identified when they exhibit symptoms and signs suggestive of EP TB.
Symptoms of EP TB are dependent on the site of TB as illustrated below.
Pulmonary TB(PTB) is primarily involves lungs. Screening should be done for the following symptoms:
Figure: Signs and Symptoms of active TB
Regular screening of Presumptive TB cases with unexplained cough of any duration should be done and checked for:
Define Presumptive Paediatric TB
Discuss consequences of identification.
Define Presumptive EP TB
Discuss consequences of identification as Presumptive EP TB
Definition of Presumptive Pulmonary TB.
Consequent action of identifying a case of Presumptive Pulmonary TB.
Educating patients on collection is essential to have good quality sputum. The healthcare worker (HCW)/ medical officer (MO) or the laboratory technician (LT) can educate patients on how to collect and dispense sputum.
The HCW/MO/LT provides a new sputum cup with the Laboratory Serial Number written on its side to the patient. They should explain that sputum should be collected in an open place or in a well-ventilated room; it should not be collected in closed rooms, toilets and ill-ventilated rooms
Active TB disease has 4 major symptoms (the 4 Symptom complex). Presence of any one of these symptoms without any other reason warrants evaluation for TB. These are:
Figure: Signs and Symptoms of TB
