MEDICAL INSIDER-DR RIA MASLOG
Acute Miliary Tuberculosis
This is also known as generalized hematogenous tuberculosis and is a serious
postprimary complications due to massive invasion of the blood stream by tubercle
bacilli.
Clinically, this condition is common among the malnourished children, infants and
untreated cases of meningitis.
The affected children may have the symptoms of anorexia, weight loss, cough and low
grade fever.
The fever may progress into high grade and has a tendency to persist.
Other symptoms may include:
- enlargement of the liver, spleen, and superficial lymph nodes.
In general, miliary tuberculosis may present in three forms:
- Typhoidal
- Respiratory
- Meningeal type
Prior to the discovery of specific anti-TB drugs, no child affected with the disease has
survived.
With effective chemotherapeutic drugs, affected children with better nutrition has good
chance of survival.
So, just like other diseases, good nutrition plays a vital role in the complete recovery of
the patient.