Person Diagnosed With TB At Alexandria Elementary School

A person at Patrick Henry Elementary School was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, according to Alexandria City Public Schools.

In an April 30 letter to families, Interim Superintendent Lois Berlin and Dr. Stephen Haering, director of health at the Alexandria Health Department, said there is "no ongoing risk of infection at Patrick Henry Elementary School or any other school from this exposure."

TB, which usually affects the lungs, or body parts such as the kidney, spine and brain, is a treatable bacterial disease spread through the air, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It cannot be spread through clothes, handshakes, toilets, eating utensils and other surfaces.

Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. The Alexandria Health Department is identifying students and staff that may have been in close contact with the diagnosed person. Only those people will be tested for TB.

The most common symptoms of TB are a bad cough lasting three weeks or more, chest pain and coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs). Other symptoms are weakness or fatigue, weight loss, no appetite, chills, fever and night sweats.

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