Aragon to begin TB testing next week

As first reported by the Daily Journal April 28, both the San Mateo Union High School District and Aragon administrators found out about the case Tuesday. Faculty was alerted by mid-afternoon Tuesday, but the both parents and students were still getting the news late Wednesday.

"I just found out and had to get e-mails out to all the parents," said Kathryn Cross, Parent Teacher Student Association president. "I don't feel too bad now because they told me that you have to be in the same room for days on end with the person to get it. It's not very contagious."

Cross hadn't heard the news as of yesterday afternoon, but was involved in getting information out to parents last night. Aragon Principal Kirk Black said he doesn't want to panic parents or students and would first rather figure out which students are most at risk.

Dr. Sam Stebbins, deputy health officer for the San Mateo County Health Services Agency called it "a moderate case." Studies have shown that a person who works or lives with a person for two months only has a 50 percent chance of getting the disease, said Stebbins.

"But they still want to take extra precautions," said Stebbins.

"We really want to be on the safe side and make sure every exposed student gets tested," said Stebbins.

A similar case was reported at Jefferson High School in Redwood City about five years ago. Upon further testing, Stebbins said at least one classmate contracted the disease and was quickly treated. At Jefferson, the tuberculosis was harder to treat because it was a drug-resistant strain, said Stebbins.

There is no indication that this form of tuberculosis is resistant to drugs. The agency sent samples to the state's laboratories in Richmond after it found out about the case last week.

When asked about where the boy picked up the disease, Stebbins said most tuberculosis cases are found in foreign-born residents.

The boy came down with the disease during spring break and spent the following week at school before seeking medical help.

We're just thankful he's being treated," said Black. "His friends and teachers knew he was sick and had been sending him cards and flowers."

The boy won't be allowed back to school for another two to four weeks while the disease is contagious. He is being placed on antibiotics for the next six months.

Students who could be infected will be tested next week and again in about three months. Health officials will be conducting the tests at the school or allowing students to visit their private physicians.

Tests include a small prick to the skin to determine if people were exposed to the disease. People have been exposed if people develop bumps similar to a poison ivy rash in the area. Those people will be treated with an antibiotic, said Stebbins.

The county handled about 52 tuberculosis cases last year and has seen about 12 this year. The majority of the cases are not contagious. Only about one in 135,000 people catch the contagious form of tuberculosis, he added.

Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs and is marked by severe coughing, fever, fatigue and weight loss. It is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria can attack any part of your body, but usually attack the lungs.

Tuberculosis was once the leading cause of death in the United States.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.