Beware Of TB! Know What It's A Mantoux Test As An Initial Diagnosis

Illustration of the Mantoux (Healthline) test

YOGYAKARTA - Tuberculosis (TBC) is still one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in the world, including in Indonesia. This disease is caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis which can attack almost all organs of the body, even though the lungs are the main targets.

Because of its nature that can be transmitted by air, especially through coughing or sneezing, tuberculosis is a public health threat that cannot be taken lightly. To reduce the transmission rate, early detection is the key.

One way that is common is with the Mantoux test. Unfortunately, there are still many people who do not understand what the Mantoux test is. So what is the Mantoux test? Here's the explanation.

The Mantoux test, also known as the tuberculosis skin test, is a simple skin test used to help diagnose tuberculosis. Although simple, this test is very helpful for doctors in determining further steps to diagnosis and treatment.

In the procedure, doctors inject a liquid called tuberculosis right under the skin on the lower arm. This liquid contains an inactive TB protein so that it is harmless, but can trigger reactions in the body if the immune system has been in contact with tuberculosis germs.

This test marks the presence or absence of exposure to TB bacteria. Therefore, the results of the Mantoux test will usually be combined with other examinations, such as chest X-rays or phlegm analysis, to ensure a more accurate diagnosis.

The Mantoux test procedure is quite simple. After tuberculosis is injected under the skin, a small bump will appear in the injection area. The doctor then marked around the bump to facilitate observation. Within 48-72 hours, the patient must return to the doctor so that the lump can be measured and observed.

If the lump does not increase, the result is considered negative which means the patient is not exposed to TB germs. On the other hand, if there is an increase in the size of the bump about 5-10 mm accompanied by inflammation, the result is positive.

However, the positive result does not mean that someone is immediately sentenced to suffer from TB, but only shows that there is a exposure that must be explored further.

Although often used, the Mantoux test is not always accurate. There is a possibility of a false negative or false positive result. Fake negatives can occur when the body is too weak to react, for example in people with AIDS, cancer, or patients who have just been infected with TB between 8-10 weeks. The wrong injection technique can also affect the results.

On the other hand, fake positives can appear if the patient has ever received a BCG vaccine or been exposed to other types of Mycobacterium bacteria that are not the cause of TB. Therefore, doctors usually don't just rely on the Mantoux test, but equip it with additional examinations to ensure a diagnosis.

Doctors can recommend additional tests such as TB blood tests or chest X-rays to ensure patients suffer from tuberculosis or not. If a diagnosis of tuberculosis is enforced, treatment needs to be started immediately. Generally, drug therapy lasts between 3 and 9 months, depending on the patient's condition.

Not everyone needs to undergo a Mantoux test, but there is a group that is advised to do so. A person who experiences TB-type symptoms such as prolonged cough, weight loss for no apparent reason, prolonged fever, sweat at night, and coughing blood should immediately do this test.

In addition, people who live at home or often interact with TB sufferers also need to undergo a Mantoux test. This test is also usually required for medical personnel who often have direct contact with TB sufferers.

For the public, understanding what it is a Mantoux test is an important step in protecting themselves and those around them. TB is still a global health problem, but with early detection and proper treatment, this disease can be controlled and the transmission rate can be suppressed.