January 18, 2006

Panhandle Health District Completes Second TB Screening at Cd'A High

COEUR d'ALENE, Idaho - Panhandle Health District has completed the second TB screening at Coeur d'Alene High School.

Sixteen individuals showed a positive reaction to the second screening test. The initial screening took place in October after one student was diagnosed with active tuberculosis disease. Nineteen individuals showed positive reaction to the first test.

However, reaction to either the first or second screening does not mean the individual has tuberculosis or will develop the disease.

A positive reaction to the test could mean a variety of things:

• The individual had a TB vaccination in another country at some point in his/her life.
• The individual was exposed to TB at some point in his/her life.
• The reaction was a false positive.
• The reading of the test site was in error.
• The individual simply had an unusual reaction to the test itself.

The 16 individuals who showed a positive reaction to the second test will be referred for further evaluation by health professionals. The initial 19 also have undergone further evaluation by health professionals. None of those who showed a positive reaction to either the first or second screening test has developed TB symptoms or active tuberculosis.

A total of 1,364 students and staff went through the second screening process. Although that number is fewer than the 1,580 who were tested in October, PHD health experts believe it is still an adequate sample of individuals from the high school to determine the rate of infectivity.

Active TB, caused by bacteria that attack the lungs, is infectious and can be spread through the air when a person with TB disease coughs, sneezes, laughs or sings. People nearby can breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

In most people who become infected, the body is able to fight the bacteria to stop it from growing. The bacteria become inactive (latent), but remain alive in the body and can become active later in life. TB infection can be successfully treated with antibiotics.

Each student and staff member tested at the high school received the tuberculin skin test (TST or PPD). The tuberculin skin test is an injection of a small amount of noninfectious tuberculin solution just under the skin of the inner forearm.

Parents or others with questions about the TB screening may call PHD at 415-5100.

Anyone with symptoms of TB should contact their private care provider. Symptoms of TB are:

• A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer.
• Pain in the chest.
• Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs).
• Weakness or fatigue.
• Weight loss.
• No appetite.
• Chills.
• Fever.
• Night sweats.