06 October 2011

Denton High Student Suspected of Having TB

Denton High Student Suspected of Having TB

Health and school officials in Denton County are warning parents that a student at Denton High School is suspected of having tuberculosis.

The student attended Ennis High School last year, where he took a science class from a teacher who has the contagious form of TB.  Last month, more than 800 students were tested in Ennis after 100 tested positive for exposure.

The boy's mother, Melissa Sosa, said she took her 16-year-old son to the hospital on Tuesday after he passed out.  Skin tests for TB came back positive.  They now are waiting on the results of another test to determine whether or not he has the contagious form of the disease, the Associated Press reported.

The Denton County Health Department said they are closely monitoring the situation.

TB is caused by a bacteria that is spread from person to person through the air.  It typically attacks the lungs but can also affect other organs, like the brain, kidneys or spine.  It can be fatal if not treated.

Symptoms include flu-like conditions including coughing, fever and weight loss.

Not everyone who is infected with TB gets sick and you can be exposed to it but not have active TB.

NBC 5's Julie Tam contributed to this report.

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