On Thursday, the Sweetwater Union School District and San Diego County’s public health agency collaborated to alert Southwest High School staff and students of possible tuberculosis exposure earlier this year.
The potential exposure took place from February 1 to May 22.
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Those who were determined to be most at danger have been informed by the county and the school system. Students and employees who are at a higher risk of exposure will be eligible for free TB examinations.
The county’s public health officer, Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, stated that fever, night sweats, persistent cough, and inexplicable weight loss are all signs of tuberculosis.
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“Most people who become infected after exposure to tuberculosis do not get sick right away,” he stated.
We refer to this as latent tuberculosis infection. If their latent TB infection is not treated, some people who contract TB will continue to get sick, sometimes for years. Blood and skin testing are useful methods for identifying an illness in those who believe they may have been exposed.
Inhaling microorganisms from an infected individual can cause tuberculosis, an airborne disease. According to county health officials, people are more likely to be exposed in crowded places like schools.
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According to the county, people who test positive but show no symptoms are probably suffering from latent TB and should see a doctor and get a chest X-ray.
Since 2020, San Diego County has seen an increase in TB cases. In 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, health officials recorded 193 cases, 201 cases, 208 cases, and 242 cases, respectively. In San Diego County, 247 persons have received an active TB diagnosis thus far in 2024.
According to county health experts, an estimated 175,000 persons in the county have latent TB infections, and 5% to 10% of them run the danger of becoming active TB disease if they don’t get treatment.
