Tuberculosis Case At Belvidere North High School

BELVIDERE, IL — Belvidere North High School sent a letter home to parents and guardians this week after someone was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Rockford Register Star reports the letter from school and public health officials say students who shared space with the infected person may want to get tested for the infection.

According to the newspaper, the letter that was sent home Tuesday stated, “People who are in direct and prolonged contact with the ill person and share the same airspace for a prolonged period of time can become infected with the germ (bacteria) that causes TB."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says tuberculosis, a contagious infection, is transmitted through the air, and the infection can be passed when someone who is sick coughs, laughs, sings or sneezes. If left untreated, it can turn into TB.

The CDC says you will not know you have TB infection unless you have a TB skin test or TB blood test.

More: rrstar.com

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