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TB Questions Answered
12/10/09 - 06:16 PM
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A tuberculosis outbreak at a local high school leaves many parents concerned.

More than fifty kids tested positive this week for TB. 

Jennifer Combs is an Arnold High School parent.  While her son wasn’t chosen for the Health Department’s tuberculosis testing, she’s concerned.

“I don’t know much about TB,” said Combs.

She says because her son isn’t in the high risk group, she’s been left in the dark. She’s had no explanation about what’s going on.

“I haven’t seen anything he hasn’t handed me anything,” said Combs.  “When I found out that my son’s friend…that is at our house all the time…tested positive it got me concerned.”

She’s and got questions and we set out to answer them.

Dr. Horacio Rodriguez has been treating tuberculosis for years.  He says it’s important to know the facts about the disease.

“How is it spread?,” asked Combs.

“Tuberculosis is a bacteria that is transmitted through a droplet, which is through coughing, through the air,” said Dr. Rodriguez.

“Does that mean his friend really has TB just because it’s positive?”

“Being positive in the skin test does not mean you have active tuberculosis but you do have dormant TB.”

While some people may never develop symptoms, it is important to get treatment from the health department or your doctor.

“Does my son need to be tested now that his friend has tested positive?”

“If they don’t have any accompanied symptoms like coughing then they are not likely to spread the disease.”

That’s because it takes months for the bacteria to grow and right now the health department says no one at Arnold has had time to develop those symptoms.

Symptoms include: coughing, fatigue, fever, weight loss, and night sweats.

The health department says each child who tested positive will have a full work up done with no cost to them.

Dr. Rodriguez also says that once you have a positive TB test that you should never have another TB test.  He recommends that you get a chest x-ray once a year.  However, the health department says that isn’t necessary. They recommend only having one if you develop symptoms.