Health Department Ivestigating TB at Raines High School

The Florida Department of Health (DOH-Duval) is currently involved in the contact investigation related to a case of Tuberculosis (TB). The investigation involves an active case at William M. Raines High School; school officials, as well as families of attending students, have been notified. Approximately 150 students and staff from the school have been identified for testing. Those individuals exposed will be medically evaluated and offered therapy, if found to be infected. The investigation was initiated following the recent hospitalization, and release, of a student with active disease.

TB is a disease caused by germs spread through the air from an infected person with active disease to individuals in very close contact for prolonged periods of time. TB germs are put in the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings. Persons who breathe in the air containing TB germs can become infected.

TB usually affects the lungs, yet may also affect other parts of the body. Symptoms of TB disease include feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats. Symptoms of TB disease of the lungs also include coughing, chest pain, and coughing up blood.

TB is diagnosed by a skin test or blood test, administered by your health care provider or local health department. A positive test usually means the person has been infected with the TB germ, however, it does not necessarily mean the person has active TB disease. Additional tests, such as an x-ray or sputum sample are needed to determine if the person has active TB disease. TB can be cured through proper medical treatment.

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