Tuberculosis Case Found at Medford High School

MEDFORD, MA – A member of the Medford High School community has been diagnosed with tuberculosis, Superintendent Roy Belson said in a letter to parents and faculty Thursday.

According to Belson, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Medford Board of Health are investigating the case to determine what, if any, risk there is of exposure at the school. These investigations are routine and take into account factors such as building design, air circulation and the infectiousness of the individual when determining the risk.

In the letter, Belson said tuberculosis is difficult to transmit in a school environment, as it requires long periods of direct exposure in order to successfully move from one person to another.

Tuberculosis bacteria usually grows in the lungs and can cause pain in the chest, a nasty cough that can last for weeks and the coughing up of blood or fluids from the lungs, according to the CDC.

It is generally treated with antibiotics over a series of months.

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