DHEC conducted free Tuberculosis tests at Conway High School Friday for the students and faculty possibly infected.
“We don’t know for sure, but the only way to know is by providing them testing,” said DHEC Spokesman Jim Beasley.
Beasley said the disease is not as contagious as some think.
“It takes a prolonged exposure to an infectious individual,” he stated.
Beasley said the signs a person is infected are fairly obvious to detect. Symptoms include a prolonged cough, chest pain, a fever, chills and a loss of appetite.
“It’s the type of illness that can last for many, many years if you come down with it,” said Beasley.
An “individual” at Conway High School tested positive for the sometimes fatal infectious disease, according to SC DHEC officials.
On Tuesday, letters were given to students and parents of those possibly affected — and an automated call was sent out to all parents, officials said.
A school system official told WBTW that number could be as many as 150 people.
DHEC officials also said that medical staff met with the affected person Monday for an extensive Q&A to determine how and where any other people might have been exposed.
The individual is in isolation to receive treatment and prevent the spread of the disease and will not be allowed back to school until DHEC approves — after the student is re-tested. Horry County Schools spokesperson Teal Harding confirmed to News13 that the person who tested positive is a student at the school.
A consent form will or has been provided to students who have possibly been affected at this point, DHEC said.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease found primarily in the lungs. It is spread from person to person through the air. Persons who have tuberculosis in their lungs cough the bacteria into the air and others become infected by breathing in the bacteria. These persons would then have latent TB. Without treatment for latent TB infection, approximately 10 percent of the persons who become infected will develop tuberculosis disease sometime in their lifetime. The remaining 90 percent of the people with latent TB carry the bacteria for a lifetime without developing the disease.
Anyone with any questions or concerns can call the SC DHEC Health Line at 1-800-868-0404.
Here is the letter that was sent home with some students…
Dear Parent or Guardian,
An individual at Conway High School has been identified as having Tuberculosis (TB). It can be effectively treated with antibiotics.
At the present time, we are not recommending that every child get a TB screening test. The students who were exposed to TB have been notified by letter today. Students and staff who have not been identified as exposed do not need to be tested at this time. Additional information will be sent home by your child tomorrow.
If you prefer to have your child tested, please contact your physician. DHEC WILL NOT cover the cost of the physician visit or testing.
