Hot Topic: Tuberculosis Screening
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by bacteria that usually affects the lungs. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. But the good news is that effective treatments exist today to treat and cure TB if an infected person gets proper medical care. That's why screening for TB is so important.
The Chatham County Health Department is working collaboratively with the Chatham Area Transit Authority (CAT) to notify certain Teleride passengers that they may have been exposed to the germ that causes tuberculosis (TB). The Teleride transportation system is a door-to-door service available to eligible disabled persons in Chatham County. A Teleride driver has been diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosis. The Health Department has conducted an investigation of close personal and family contacts, and is now expanding its investigation to Teleride passengers who rode with this particular driver between January 1, 2007 and April 8, 2007. Even though the risk is minimal, the most common way to become infected with TB is to spend close, prolonged direct contact with a person who has active pulmonary TB. TB is rarely spread to persons who spend brief amounts of time together.
CAT has provided the Health Department with a manifest listing the names of all passengers who may have been exposed. Notification letters are being mailed this week to those passengers. (Read a copy of the notification letter) Screenings will be offered during normal business hours to identified passengers at the Chatham County Health Department at 1395 Eisenhower Drive any Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Passengers requiring assistance with transportation may call Teleride at 912-354-6900 to schedule the trip to and from the Health Department. Only those passengers who have been identified and notified as contacts are eligible for this special screening service. There is no charge for the Teleride transportation to and from the testing site, nor any charge for the TB screening done as part of this investigation.
TB is spread when a person inhales airborne germs over a prolonged period of time in a confined area from someone with the disease who coughs or sneezes. In addition to the lungs, TB can also affect other parts of the body. The screening test for TB is a skin test called a PPD (Purified Protein Derivative). The test is a simple procedure during which a very small amount of the protein solution is injected just under the skin on the forearm. After 48-72 hours, a qualified healthcare worker must look at your forearm for a bump about the size of a pencil eraser, which would indicate possible exposure to the disease and require further testing.
If you would like additional information, you may contact the Chatham County Health Department at 912-356-2155. You can also find more information at the Centers for Disease Control's website.
You may also download this TB Fact Sheet.
WWW Address: http://www.gachd.org/hot-topic/tuberculosis_screening.php