Trion High School student has tested positive for tuberculosis

A Trion High School student has tested positive for tuberculosis, according to Trion City Schools Superintendent Phil Williams.

The school system is releasing two letters to students and parents explaining the situation. One letter is for students that were in the same classes as the student with tuberculosis. The second letter goes to others at the school.

The school is offering a free TB test Wednesday to any student that is concerned about their exposure. The test is being offered in the Trion Elementary School Gym from 8:30 a.m. -7 p.m. The skin test reading is scheduled at the same location for Friday, June 1, from 8:30 a.m. -7 p.m. at the same location.

Here is some information from the school system:

The Trion School District was notified this week of a confirmed case of active tuberculosis (TB). While this may cause concern, you should know that the risk of becoming infected with TB is low. TB is not spread like the cold or flu virus via surface contact with germs. TB germs are put in the air when a person with active TB Disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. Persons who breathe in the air containing these TB germs can become infected. Not everyone infected with TB germs gets sick.
People who are infected, but are not sick have what is called latent TB infection. People with latent TB infection cannot spread the germs to others and medication is available to prevent active TB disease. Trion High School is working very closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health, who will be conducting free TB skin test screening to determine if potentially exposed individuals have been infected with the TB germ. Public Health nurses will need to read the skin test 48-72 hours after the skin test placement to determine if any further screening is necessary. All Trion High School students will be notified via mail describing general information/facts concerning TB, along with protocol to be followed.

 

Additional information about tuberculosis is available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the CDC. Parents can also contact the Chattooga County Health Department at 706-857-3471.