TB scare at Gwinnett's Meadowcreek High School

Gwinnett County School officials said about 175 students and staff members at Meadowcreek High School have recently undergone testing for tuberculosis, and 25 individuals had positive readings.

According to Jorge Quintana, director of media relations for Gwinnett County Public Schools, the health department identified students and staff members on Oct. 8 to undergo testing and the tests were administered as a precaution.

The individuals who were tested had at some point come in contact with a junior at Meadowcreek who had a suspected case of the disease.

Initial test results were read by the health department Oct. 10, and the 25 individuals with a positive reading were requested to have a chest x-ray within 72 hours. So far, no one has had any signs or symptoms of the disease.

Quintana said a positive reading doesn’t mean the individual has the disease, only that they were exposed to it at some point in time and further testing is needed.

The World Health Organization, responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, describes TB as a contagious disease, much like the common cold. When a person with the infection coughs, sneezes, talks or spits, germs known as bacilli are propelled into the air.

When another person inhales the germ, they too can become infected. The germs can survive in the air for several hours. Typical treatment for the disease includes a regimen of several medications. Quintana said the student suspected of having TB is currently under medical care. For more information regarding TB, visit the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov.
- www.gwinnettherald.com

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