Horn Lake Students, Staff Exposed to TB — Those Who Test Positive Should Be Treated Before Disease Takes Hold
By Jimmie Covington covington@desotoappealcom
Students and staff members at Horn Lake Intermediate School have been exposed to a case of tuberculosis and must be tested, health and school officials said.
A TB skin test will be given at the school on Tuesday, and a health worker will check each person on Thursday to see if there is a test reaction, a letter sent home with students says.
Katherine Nelson, a DeSoto County School District spokesman, said health officials cited privacy requirements and did not reveal whether the case involves a student, staff member or someone else. The letter to parents was signed by Dr. Alfio Rausa, district health officer with the state Department of Health, and Vickie Bullock, the school’s principal.
Nelson said the letter was a Health Department letter. According to the letter, people with further questions may call the county Health Department at (662) 429-9814.
TB is a bacterial infection that can cause lung problems. The disease can be serious if left untreated.
According to a Public Health Service fact sheet accompanying the letter, testing material is placed under the skin with a small needle and each person is checked in the next two or three days.
A test is considered positive if a small bump appears on the skin. A positive result means a person is probably infected and should receive medicine to keep from becoming ill with the disease.
“Please note that a positive skin test indicates TB infection, not disease,” the letter to parents said.
Students or staff members who test positive will need a chest X- ray within the next two weeks. The tests are being provided by the DeSoto County Health Department at no cost to the students or school personnel.
Everyone receiving an initial negative result will receive a second skin test between Thanksgiving and the start of the Christmas holidays.
Nationally, 14,511 confirmed cases of tuberculosis were reported in 2004. The rate per 100,000 in the population was 4.9.
– Jimmie Covington: (901) 333-2010