Campus Health News

MSSU student tests positive for tuberculosis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 17, 2006
CONTACT: Rod E. Surber, Public Information Office (417) 625-9399

JOPLIN, MO (SNS) – A Missouri Southern State University student has tested positive for tuberculosis, according to University officials and the Joplin Health Department. Screening of students, faculty and staff who may have been exposed will be provided. 

The student is receiving treatment as required by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

The University and the Joplin Health Department are conducting a contact investigation to determine who may have come into close contact with the student.

Tuberculosis is a respiratory illness spread by coughing and sneezing. It is curable and the student is being treated for the disease. “This is a very serious disease, but the good news is that it can be treated, cured and prevented,” stated Maggie Holt, R.N., Community Health Nurse for the Joplin Health Department.

TB is spread through the air from one person to another. Persons who breathe the TB germs may get TB infection or dormant (sleeping) TB germs in the body. The dormant germs do not cause sickness and cannot be passed to anyone else. If the dormant germs in the body “wake up” and multiply, sickness ensues with the TB disease.

After the contact investigation, the Joplin Health Department will contact any individuals who may need to be treated. At this time, one other person has been diagnosed with the latent TB infection. That person is being treated.

The University is disseminating information about the disease and its prevention to the entire student body, faculty and staff. Information is being posted on the University’s Web site and in University buildings.

Joplin Department of Health officials noted that three cases of the TB disease were treated in 2005 in Jasper County and 20 cases of TB infection are currently on preventive treatment by the Joplin Health Department.
Symptoms of the disease include:

• A severe cough that lasts three weeks or longer;
• Pain in the chest;
• Coughing up blood or phlegm from deep inside the lungs;
• Weakness or feeling very tired;
• Losing weight without trying;
• Having no appetite;
• Chills and fever;
• Sweating at night or when you are sleeping.

According to University policies, when a communicable disease comes to the attention of the University, whether student, faculty or staff member, the University’s physician and nurse practitioner will assume responsibility for conducting a thorough review based upon the best medical and legal information available. Any actions taken will respect the confidentiality of the individual as well as the individual’s welfare and that of the University community.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reported 14,097 TB cases in 2005. More information is on the HHS’s web site http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/faqs/qa.htm.