DALLAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Tuberculosis Elimination Division Philip Huang MD Director Date: 16?: 2.0V) Dear: Staff/Parent The Dallas County Health and Human Services Department has information that there was a possible exposure of tuberculosis involving a small group at Coppell Middle North School Dallas County will be notifying individuals who are part of this group. If you are not part of this group, there is no need for you to take any action at this time. This letter is being provided as general information. Tuberculosis is a germ (bacteria) that is spread through the air from one person to another. TB germs are passed when a person who is sick with TB disease coughs, laughs, sings or sneezes. If someone breathes air that has TB germs, they may get infected. When TB germs enter the body the germ can go to sleep (this is called TB infection), or remain awake (this is called TB disease). If the germs are sleeping in the body, they do not make the person sick and the person cannot pass the germs to others. If the germ is awake in the body, the person is usually sick with fatigue, weight loss, chills, fever, night sweats, and loss of appetite, shortness of breath, prolonged coughing for longer than two weeks, and coughing up blood or sputum. Both TB Infection and TB Disease are treatable and curable. The chance of TB germs entering a person?s body at work is extremely low. Research shows that most individuals who catch the TB germ are usually in a closed area with the person having TB disease for (1) hour or more a day. The public health regulations in the state of Texas and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) require that a person identi?ed as having close contact with a person who has TB disease, undergo tuberculin skin test screening (usually referred to as a PPD test or blood test). This simple test indicates whether TB germs are in a person?s body. The test involves administering a small amount of test solution under the skin of the forearm. The individual must return two days later in order for the test .to be read. It can take up 8-10 weeks for the TB germs to show in your body, so a second test is administered in 8?10 weeks to be sure that there are no TB germs. A reaction to the skin test does not mean that a person has TB disease. A chest X?ray is needed to determine if the germ is sleeping or awake. Please be assured that The Dallas County Health Department is working to ensure that you remain safe and healthy. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Mary Ortega, Disease Intervention Specialist at cell 214-324-3289. 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway Dallas. Texas 75207?2710 Of?ce (214) 819-2071 Suite 300 - LB 12 FAX (214) 819-2805