Facts for Life
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Coughs, Colds and More Serious Illnesses

Supporting Information

Key Message 4:

A child with a harsh cough needs immediate medical attention. The child may have tuberculosis, an infection in the lungs.

Tuberculosis is a serious disease that can kill a child or permanently damage the lungs. Families can help prevent tuberculosis if they ensure that children:

  • are fully immunized – BCG immunization offers some protection against some forms of tuberculosis
  • are kept away from anyone who has tuberculosis or has a cough with bloody sputum.

If the health worker provides special medications for tuberculosis, it is important to give the child all the medicine according to the instructions for as long as specified, even if the child seems better.
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