I have just returned from visiting the University of Malaya and the Philippines, so have been unable to respond to this thread until now.


TB is certainly possible in children, even if they have been vaccinated, especially if they live in a community where people have active TB - worldwide at least half a million children become ill with TB and thousands may die from this infection if not treated for long enough with appropriate combination of antibiotics.


However, the ONLY person who can make the likely diagnosis in this case is their family doctor. Full clinical assessment - including symptoms, signs, and other tests - is needed in addition to chest X-Ray. There are many causes of cough ( many not serious, particularly if not prolonged ) in addition to TB, and other features may suggest alternative diagnoses perhaps also requiring long term treatment.


The primary purpose of doctors is to make people well - they also need to communicate clearly with their patients ( and in this case, the parents ) what is the likely diagnosis and treatment. It’s vital that your friend insists on a full explanation, free of medical jargon, from the doctor who is paid to provide this, or he should change his doctor.