Press Release
JUNE 7th, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
CONTACT:TIM O’CONNOR
press50@doh.state.fl.us
561-671-4013 |
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL—The
Palm Beach County Health
Department is continuing its
investigation into possible
exposures to tuberculosis
from a student diagnosed
with the disease earlier
this month at Seminole Ridge
High School.
Letters were sent to students, teachers and other staff
members identified as close
contacts recommending they
receive a tuberculosis skin
test through their private
doctor or from the Health
Department on June 7 or 8 at
the High School. The skin
test is a small injection
under the skin that leaves a
small bump. Two to three
days later a medical
professional reviews the
bump’s size to see if
further testing might be
needed.
“When we investigate a TB case we first get a confirmatory
diagnosis from a skin test,
chest X-ray and possibly a
sputum test. We also
determine what antibiotics
are effective in the
treatment to assure it is
not resistant to one or many
antibiotics. We then
interview and test the
immediate family and closest
contacts. If evidence
warrants, we extend our
search into the community,”
said Health Department
Director, Dr. Alina Alonso.
Alonso added that her TB
staff follows the patient
for the entire period needed
to confirm a cure. Staff
also conducts Direct Drug
Observation Therapy (DOT) to
make sure patients complete
their drug regimen. Failure
to complete treatment can
result in involuntary
hospitalization. If
treatment is not completed
the patient is also at risk
of developing a drug
resistant strain of TB
called Multidrug-Resistant
or MDR TB.
Although cases of Latent TB Infection (LTBI), TB Disease and
MDR TB are declining in the
county cases are still
present and must be
investigated.
LTBI is found in persons who were exposed to the disease at
some point in their life and
their body has contained the
mycobacterium tuberculosis.
These individuals are at
risk of TB disease at any
time. The disease is, in
most cases, characterized by
respiratory problems that
result in constant coughing
for more than three weeks,
fever, night sweats, weight
loss and coughing up blood.
A person with TB disease can
pass it on through airborne
particles as a result of
coughing. For both
conditions (LTBI and TB
Disease) treatment is
available.
CDC guidelines no longer recommend testing for all persons
entering school, day care
and most work locations.
Some groups however, it is
recommended, should be
tested:
-
Persons who have been
recently infected
-
Persons who have been in
contact with a person
with TB,
-
Recent Immigrants from
TB-endemic regions of
the world
-
Residents and employees
of high-risk congregate
settings (jails,
homeless shelters,
health care facilities.)
-
Persons with clinical
conditions that increase
their risk of
progressing from LTBI to
TB disease. (HIV
infected, immune
compromised, drug users,
etc)
More information on Tuberculosis can be obtained by calling
the Health Department,
888-411-4358
www.pbchd.com
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