Tuberculosis Questions and Answers

Questions Specific to Central High School Student and Faculty:

General Questions about TB Infection:

Only students who were in classes with the student with TB need to be tested.  DCHD is working with OPS to notify those parents as soon as possible. 

When and where is the meeting for parents?

Central High School will be having an open meeting on Monday, April 14th at 5:00 pm in the auditorium.  School and health department officials will be available to answer any questions you may have.  Updated information will also be shared.

How do I know if my child has been exposed?

DCHD is has conducted a thorough investigation and identified the students and faculty who have had contact in the same classroom.  These students and faculty are being notified by phone and mail regarding testing and follow up.

What is the risk of my child getting TB at Central High School?

The risk of getting TB is very low but increases slightly when you have been exposed to a person with active TB.  The risk increases the more frequently you are in close contact with a person with active TB, or when you are in the same room for long periods of time (e.g. same classroom).  However, even then, most people do not develop TB. 

Why aren’t all students and faculty being tested?

At this time, only those students and faculty whom the DCHD has identified as having contact in the same classroom with the student need to be tested.  These individuals are being notified.

When will you test them?

DCHD will be performing the skin testing at school throughout the day on Tuesday, April 15 and on Monday, April 21 for those not tested on the 15th.  Testing will be done during school hours and will be free of charge.

How will I find out the test results?

Parents will be notified of the test results by phone or mail.

Does my child need to see a doctor?

If your child is ill, then he or she should see a health care provider.  Your child does not need to see a doctor for tuberculosis testing.  DCHD will be testing all close contacts free of charge.  Anyone who tests positive will be referred for further testing and follow-up.

Can you tell me who the student with TB is?

No, we can’t reveal the identity of the student with TB due to patient confidentiality laws.  We are notifying all students/parents who were in the same classes as quickly as possible. 

Is my child at risk if he passed the student in the hallways or in the bathroom?

Transmission of tuberculosis requires prolonged and repeated exposure to an infectious person.  At this time, only students and faculty in the same classes as the ill student need to be tested. 

Does the school need to be decontaminated or disinfected?

No.  You do not get TB from touching the environment (such as desk tops or toilets).  TB does not live in the heating/air-conditioning or ventilation system.  Be cause TB is spread by inhaling the TB bacteria after someone with active TB in their lung or throat coughs, disinfecting the environment (e.g. desk tops, rugs, etc) does not help prevent the spread of TB.  TB is not spread in food. 

General questions about TB infection

What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by a germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but they can also damage other parts of the body.  It is curable with medication, but can be fatal if not treated.   

TB disease generally develops over weeks to months, and it is curable with medication.  TB is not immediately life-threatening, nor an emergency. 
TB germs can live in your body without making you sick. This is called latent TB infection. This means you have only inactive (sleeping) TB germs in your body. The inactive germs cannot be passed on to anyone else. However, if these germs wake up or become active in your body and multiply, you will get sick with TB disease.
When TB germs are active (multiplying in your body), this is called TB disease. These germs usually attack the lungs. They can also attack other parts of the body, such as, the kidneys, brain, or spine. TB disease will make you sick. People with TB disease may spread the germs to people they spend time with every day.

How is TB spread?

TB spreads through the air when a person with TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, talks, or sings.  Transmission of TB generally requires prolonged and repeated close contact with a communicable person.

What are the symptoms?

Asymptomatic TB infection (latent infection):
No symptoms, just a positive skin test.

TB disease:
Symptoms of TB include productive cough (longer than 2 weeks), fever, and weight loss.  Occasionally, patients may present with hemoptysis (coughing up bloody sputum) or chest pain.  Other systemic symptoms include anorexia (loss of appetite), fatigue, or night sweats.

What does a positive skin test mean?

A positive skin test means that you have antibodies against the germ that causes tuberculosis.  Your infection can be latent (without any symptoms) or it can develop into disease if untreated.  A positive test does not mean you have active disease.  Other tests (such as a chest x-ray and sputum test) are needed to determine this.

What if I have a positive test for TB?

If you have a positive reaction to the TB skin test, your doctor or nurse may do other tests to see if you have active TB disease. These tests usually include a chest x-ray. It may also include a test of the phlegm you cough up. Because the TB bacteria may be found somewhere other than your lungs, your doctor or nurse may check your blood or urine, or do other tests. If you have active TB disease, you will need to take medicine to treat the disease.