What is tuberculosis (TB)?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria spread from person to person through the air after close, prolonged contact. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. TB is treatable but it can be life-threatening if not treated.
What are the symptoms?
The signs and symptoms of active TB disease are prolonged cough, fevers, chills, night sweats, weight loss, loss of appetite, or chest pain. If you are experiencing these symptoms, please contact a healthcare provider or seek medical attention.
How is TB spread?
TB is spread through the air from one person to another, but it is not spread by shaking someone’s hand, sharing food or drink, touching bed linens or toilet seats, sharing toothbrushes or kissing.
What does a positive test for TB infection mean?
First, remember that a TB infection is treatable. A positive test for TB infection only indicates that a person has been infected with TB bacteria. It does not indicate whether or not the person has progressed to active TB disease. Other tests, such as a chest x-ray and a sputum sample, are needed to see whether the person has active TB disease.
Who needs to be tested?
Complimentary testing will be made available to anyone the health department, in cooperation with the school, has identified as being at risk for exposure.
Individuals not determined to be at risk who would like testing should contact their healthcare provider or come to the South Logan Office of the Bear River Health Department, at 635 South 100 East, Logan. No appointment is required, but testing times are limited for the TB skin test:
- Monday – Tuesday (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Wednesday & Friday (8 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
- Thursday – No testing due to the 48-72 hour window reading.
What is the test for TB?
There are two initial tests for TB:
- TB Skin Test – TB skin test is performed by injecting a small amount of fluid into the skin in the lower part of the arm. A person given the TB skin test must return within 48-72 hours to have a trained healthcare worker look for a reaction on the arm. Individuals not determined to be at risk who would like testing will need to pay $20 at the time of testing.
- Blood Test – By appointment only at the health department or call your healthcare provider. Test results take about 3-4 days. Individuals not determined to be at risk who would like testing will need to pay $90 at the time of testing.
Where will testing take place?
Individuals determined to be at risk will be offered testing at Mountain Crest High School on Monday, March 13th, and Tuesday, March 14th.
Individuals that have been identified but are unable to test at that time are asked to come to the South Logan Office of the Bear River Health Department, located at 635 South 100 East, Logan, to complete their recommended testing. No appointment is required:
- Monday – Tuesday (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Wednesday & Friday (8 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
- Thursday – No testing due to the 48-72 hour window reading.
Is there follow-up testing that is needed?
The health department will work with individuals based on exposure to determine if follow-up testing is necessary.
What if I wasn’t notified but want to be tested?
Individuals not determined to be at risk who would like testing should contact their healthcare provider or come to the South Logan Health Department, at 635 South 100 East, Logan, to complete their recommended testing. No appointment is required. These individuals will be responsible for the cost of testing.
- Monday – Tuesday (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Wednesday & Friday (8 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
- Thursday – No testing due to the 48-72 hour window reading.
Can I know the student’s name, so I can determine if I have had contact?
Due to confidentiality requirements, the name of the active case cannot be given publicly. However, the school and health department are working together to identify individuals who may have been exposed through close and prolonged contact.
Should my student continue to attend school?
Yes, students and staff should continue attending school. If you were exposed to someone with TB disease, you may become infected with TB bacteria, but you would not be able to spread the bacteria to others. Only people with active infectious TB disease can spread TB bacteria to others.
Will students who have been in close contact be held out of school?
No. If you were exposed to someone with TB disease, you might become infected with TB bacteria, but you would not be able to spread the bacteria to others. Only people with active infectious TB disease can spread TB germs to others.
What if I have further questions or concerns?
A tuberculosis (TB) hotline will be available Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at (435) 792-6567. Parents and staff are welcome to call with questions.