Possible Tuberculosis Case Hits Middle School

The principal of Col. Mitchell Paige Middle School sent out a letter to parents last week, telling them about a possible case of Tuberculosis at the school.

Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. It is spread through the air, when people who have the disease cough, sneeze, or spit.

Most infections in humans result in an asymptomatic, latent infection, and about one in ten latent infections eventually progresses to active disease, which, if left untreated, kills more than 50% of its victims.

In his letter, Principal Charles Lawson says students who may have come in contact with the individual who may have TB can be tested at a clinic set up at the school this week. Students will need parental permission to be tested for the disease, and it can take up to 6 weeks to find out the results.