1 Confirmed Tuberculosis Case In Bethpage School District

BETHPAGE, NY — A case of tuberculosis has been confirmed at Bethpage High School, according to a letter sent to parents and guardians from the superintendent on Thursday evening.

The letter stated that the Nassau County Department of Health notified the Bethpage School District that an individual associated with the Bethpage High School community has been diagnosed with TB, the Bethpage Union Free School District Superintendent of Schools, Dave Schneider, wrote in the letter.

"The person is under the supervision of healthcare professionals and is receiving appropriate medical treatment," Schneider wrote, adding that the Nassau County Health Department officials are working closely with the District to identify potential close contacts.

"We understand that hearing about TB can cause concern, but it is important to understand the facts regarding how it is transmitted to keep our community safe and informed," Schneider wrote, adding that TB is a bacterial infection. "Transmission usually requires frequent and prolonged contact in an enclosed space, such as with family members. The risk of transmission to the general school population is considered very low. "

Schneider wrote that Health Department officials are in the process of contact tracing anyone who came in contact, and they would notify parents if they believe an individual needs an evaluation.

This is now the 2nd case of tuberculosis in an LI school district in recent days. Patchogue-Medford High School sent a letter notifying parents of a confirmed case in January.

Only those with an active infection of TB are considered contagious, and a person would have to spend a decent amount of time with the infected person to catch it, the Cleveland Clinic said. Most people who are in contact with someone with active TB and breathe in TB bacteria can fight it, causing a latent TB infection.

The Mayo Clinic explains there are various stages of TB, including primary TB infection, latent TB infection, and active TB disease. Primary TB infection is the first stage when the immune system captures the germs. Sometimes, the immune system can destroy the germs; other times, some germs can survive and multiply. Most people do not have symptoms during this stage, though they can have a low fever, cough, or tiredness. Latent TB infection is most often the next stage and it's when the immune system keeps the TB germs under control, but some germs survive. There are no symptoms during this stage. The next stage can be active TB disease, when the immune system cannot control the infection, and TB germs multiply and spread.

The CDC said that to become infected with TB, the person would have to breathe in TB germs from someone with active TB who is displaying symptoms. TB germs can live in the body without making a person sick, or the person can develop TB months or even years later when their immune system is weaker and unable to keep the TB germs from multiplying, the CDC said.

There can be active and inactive TB, and active TB symptoms depend on where the TB germs are growing in the body, the CDC said. Common symptoms of active TB include coughing, pain in the chest, and coughing up blood or phlegm, the CDC said. Those with inactive TB do not have symptoms of the disease and cannot spread TB to others, according to the CDC. It is recommended to see a doctor if a person is experiencing TB symptoms.