Mantoux test: composition, how it works

It is common knowledge that all newborns are vaccinated with BCG. It is necessary in order to protect the child's body from a disease such as tuberculosis. Later, namely at the age of 7-14 years, do revaccination with BCG.

In order to check the child's body for the presence of tuberculosis, the Mantoux test is performed . It is done by injecting a special drug that contains tuberculin. The drug is administered subcutaneously and causes a certain reaction of the child's body. In colloquial speech, it is called "button". For this reaction, you can determine whether a person is healthy or not. This test is very important, as it makes it possible to diagnose tuberculosis at an early stage. And the sooner the disease is revealed, the sooner the treatment will begin.

A test for the Mantoux reaction. Composition of the drug administered

It is necessary to understand that the introduction of the drug to the reaction, it's not a vaccine, but a test. The drug used in this procedure does not contain any elements that affect the immunity of the child. This test is done to identify tuberculosis at an early stage.

What is the Mantoux test? The composition is now considered, and also we will touch upon the topic of measuring the result.

Since the child is injected with a medical product, the parents need to know what is included in the test. There are cases of allergies to the Mantoux reaction. The composition of the substance contains tuberculin. It is made from the rods of tuberculosis by heating them. In addition to this substance, the sample contains sodium chloride and phenol. This test consists in provoking the reaction of the body at the site of puncture, forming a papule. Next, you need to measure this swelling. Based on the results of its size, determine how the immunity of the child fights against tuberculosis. An important point is that the papule is not subjected to any damage. For example, scratching or water.

Under what conditions can you test Mantoux?

This sample has no side effects. It does not harm the body of the child. The only prescription of the doctor is that the sample should not be exposed to water for 3 days.

What is the Mantoux reaction for?

The composition of the drug that is administered, we examined. Now let's see what the test is for?

1. To determine the presence of tuberculosis infection in the body.
2. This reaction shows whether the child is ill with tuberculosis at the moment.
3. The Mantoux test determines the level of work of the immune system, its resistance to tuberculosis infection.
4. There is an opportunity to identify children who need BCG revaccination.

Contraindications

Despite the fact that there are practically no contraindications to this sample, there are cases when a doctor can protect a child from Mantoux's reaction to certain signs of his body's condition:

1. Damage to the skin in the place where the Mantoux reaction is being done. It can be any diseases associated with rashes or some other irritation.
2. If the child is suffering from any chronic diseases or infections, then this test is contraindicated.
3. Allergy is a contraindication for the Mantoux reaction.
4. Elevated body temperature.
5. Epilepsy.
6. Convulsions.

How is the result evaluated?

The composition of the Mantoux sample was examined above. Now let's talk about the results. The assessment is made by a doctor or nurse. Verification takes place in three days. Through the ruler, a swelling is measured, which is formed after the injection of the solution.

Negative, doubtful, hyperergic and positive reactions

There are five results of the evaluation of the Mantoux reaction (the composition of the vaccine is always the same), namely positive, negative, hyperergic, doubtful, false.

The negative reaction to the Mantoux test is manifested by the following symptoms:

1. Absence of swelling.
2. On the skin where the injection was made, there is slight redness.
3. The trace of the injection is visible.

This reaction means that the baby is healthy. Therefore, there is no need to develop antibodies.

Doubtful reaction of the body to the Mantoux test:

1. The size of the papule after inoculation is 2-4 millimeters.
2. There is no swelling around the site of the injection, but the skin has a red tint.

Such data mean that the body responded to the introduction of a drug containing tuberculosis, but coped with it.

If the size of the papule is more than 5 millimeters, then the reaction to the Mantoux test is considered positive. Normally, the size can be up to 10 millimeters. But when its size is more than 5, it is recommended to show the child to the tuberculosis specialist.

How does the hyperergic reaction manifest? If after the introduction of the drug on the skin a seal is formed, the size of which exceeds 17 millimeters, and any ulcers are formed, this is a sure sign that the child is infected with tuberculosis.

False positive

This reaction of the body has the same signs as positive. It should be known that in order to determine the ability of the child's organism to develop a disease such as tuberculosis, it is necessary to conduct its examination. Based only on the results of the Mantoux reaction, it can not be concluded that the body is not able to fight this disease. Therefore, with a positive reaction to the Mantoux vaccine composition, fluorography should be done, and sputum should be given.

It is also necessary to examine other members of the family for the presence in their bodies of a disease such as tuberculosis. The visit to the phthisiatrician should not be postponed in any case. Since it is better to make a diagnosis and identify the disease at an early stage, than to then treat the neglected form.

What factors can interfere with the Mantoux reaction?

First, if the child was ill with any diseases, then Mantoux's reaction can not be done. You should also know that one month must pass after the child has become healthy. Or after quarantining. Secondly, it is not worth combining the Mantoux reaction with other vaccinations.

The fact is that when any vaccinations are made, the immunity of the child is reduced. Therefore, the Mantoux test can give a false result. Also, factors such as allergy, infectious diseases, skin sensitivity, body immunity to tuberculosis bacteria can affect the wrong result.

Allergic reaction

Sometimes there is an allergic reaction of the body to the Mantoux reaction. The composition of the drug, or rather some components of the vaccine, can cause this.

Children who experience this test for the first time may experience an allergic reaction. The cause may be an individual drug intolerance or heredity. Also such a reaction can cause a predisposition of the body to allergies.

We have already figured out what is included in Mantoux. It is some components that cause allergies. Often its occurrence on the Mantoux reaction causes phenol. This substance is a part of the preparation. It is toxic. But in small doses does not harm the body of the child. However, there are cases that in some children who are prone to allergic reactions, phenol causes the onset of the disease.

You should know that it is not worth it to diagnose yourself what the child has an allergy on. It is necessary to seek help from a specialist if any reactions of the body are noticed. It is only the doctor who can determine the cause of such a reaction after a special examination.

What are the rules for the Mantoux reaction?

In order to determine how the body reacts to Mantoux, it is necessary to have the results of all the tests done since the child was vaccinated. Ideally, each subsequent should decrease in size by one or two millimeters. A sharp change in the compaction to the large side indicates that the body is susceptible to tuberculosis, and an additional examination is necessary in order to exclude or confirm the disease.

Every parent has the right to refuse to conduct a Mantoux reaction to his child. For this it is necessary to write a refusal to carry out this procedure. But it should be remembered that a non-vaccinated person is more likely to be infected with tuberculosis. With a normal reaction of the body, when the compaction decreases every year, the baby is revaccinated with BCG at the age of 7 years. By this period the compaction is coming to naught. Then the child after the test on Mantoux remains only a trace from the injection.

Alternative option

How to make sure that the child does not make a Mantoux test? The composition of the vaccine can cause complications in the body, so you can use an alternative method for diagnosis. The simplest way to check is a blood test that can be taken in any laboratory.