Under NTEP, a contact of a smear-positive PTB patient who is HIV-positive and aged 35 years has a negative Tuberculin Skin Test. What is the recommended management?

• A No further action required as TST is negative
• B Full anti-TB treatment for 6 months
• C Repeat TST after 3 months
• D Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) for 6 months ✓

Explanation

Under NTEP and NACP guidelines, HIV-positive individuals who are household contacts of TB patients should receive Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) for 6 months regardless of TST result, because immunosuppression can cause false-negative TST. This is now expanded to all PLHIV under the TB preventive therapy (TPT) strategy. A negative TST in HIV-positive individuals does not rule out latent TB infection.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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