Though he could not comment on the specifics of the individual case, Dr. Edward Khan of the Jefferson County Department of Health said the confirmed case of tuberculosis at Homewood High School is "treatable."



During a press conference this afternoon, Khan said health officials "are urging, not suggesting," anyone who may have come in contact with the infected freshman at the high school to get tested for the contagious, airborne respiratory disease.



Khan said not getting tested would mean taking a gamble with one's health.



Public health officials will administer TB tests to all interested students and faculty at Homewood High School Wednesday, March 25. Because a TB test consists of two parts--an injection of tuberculin purified protein derivative under the skin and a skin test reaction two to three days later--anyone interested in being tested must be present at school on Wednesday and Friday. Those who receive the test will have their results before school lets out Friday afternoon for Spring Break.



If a person has been exposed to TB, their immune system will recognize the condition and cause a reaction in the skin at the site of the test. If the skin becomes inflamed by 5mm or greater, said Khan, there is evidence of TB.



Because TB is an airborne disease that does not remain suspended for long periods of time and is not spread by surface contact, the school will not have to be treated, said Khan. In an active environment such as a school, he said, TB would only likely only remain in the air for a matter of minutes.





Homewood City Schools will also hold an informational meeting for parents Wednesday regarding the tuberculosis incident. The meeting will be held at the Homewood Board of Education office, 450 Dale Ave, at 5:30 p.m. The medical director of disease control for the Jefferson County Department of Health will present information about tuberculosis and answer questions from parents and community members.



Homewood City Schools Superintendent Bill Cleveland said he will have his own children--a 9th grader and a 10th grader at the school--tested for TB.



"I'd rather be safe than sorry," said Cleveland.

Dr. Edward Khan (UAB)

Asked if students should feel anxious about the test, Khan offered reassurance.



"If there's one needle you don't need to be afraid of," he said, "it's this one. It's an intradermal needle--probably the smallest needle anyone uses for anything."

The Jefferson County Department of Health notified the school district of the freshman's positive tuberculosis test.

Tuberculosis is a contagious respiratory disease that can either be latent or active. People infected with the latent variety have no symptoms and are not contagious.



"So even if some of the students are infected and we get a positive TB test," said Khan, "if there X-rays are clear, they could not have brought it home to anyone else."



Active tuberculosis causes severe cough, fever, chills and weight loss. Tuberculosis can be fatal if left untreated.

Most forms of tuberculosis can be treated by antibiotics, although there are some strains that have become resistant to treatment. Treatment typically lasts six to nine months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.



There are less and less cases of TB reported each year, he said, both at the state and national levels--with a total of 133 cases in Alabama last year,



Khan said he is grateful for the school district's cooperation and willingness to take action right away and handle what he referred to as a "curable and preventable condition."



This article was updated at 8:42 p.m. to include more information.