The Maid Test

Every time they are back from their village check for any sign of infection like cold, cough that could transfer the deadly TB disease. It is spread from person to person through the air when someone with active TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sings, laughs or sneezes. Some of the symptoms of TB disease include:Persistent coughTirednessNight sweatsWeight lossCoughing up blood.

So for all those wondering why am I writing this article and why should they be testing their domestic help and bearing medical expenses. Please think again! Your domestic help spends so much time with your child and in such close proximity that well it might be worth it to put them through the test. They often cook and feed our children and hygiene and health here might just be important.

Domestic help in India is not controlled or accountable and its all hired through references. Its also a breed that has so much demand that their health is often least of our concerns. Most of them arrive straight from the villages or atleast visit their home town 3 – 4 times a year. The two common illnesses that hound them are TB & Aids. While their could be lots of others its best to check them for these two especially so if there is any other it will surface with the results of these. So what should we do:

Before hiring:
1. Get them tested for Aids & TB
2. Click their photos and get their Id’s done
3. Do aÂ thoroughÂ background check and look for any open or unhealed infected wounds

After hiring:
1. At the sign of cough ask them to maintain distance from the baby
2. If the cough persists over a period of time then do a chest Xray again. Please maintain their medical records
3. Every time they are back from their village check for any sign of infection like cold, cough that could transfer the deadly TB disease.
4. Repeat the tests periodically or on an annual basis

How is TB transferred?
It is generally transferred through coughing and cold droplets. Typically TB affects the lungs but it can also infect any other organ of the body. It is spread from person to person through the air when someone with â€˜activeâ€™ TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sings, laughs or sneezes.

Some of the symptoms of TB disease include:

Persistent cough
Tiredness
Night sweats
Weight loss
Coughing up blood.

So all moms and dads please be more vigilant and get all your domestic help and drivers tested. Its true that any of us could contract either of the diseases but we are smart enough to spot the symptoms and are prone to medical check ups. You do not want to take any chances here