HUNTINGTON BEACH : Students, Instructors Urged to Get TB Tests

County health officials have recommended that about 100 classmates and instructors of a student at Golden West College who had active tuberculosis be screened for exposure to the disease.

School officials learned last week that the student, who attended four classes during much of the fall semester, had active disease and might have been contagious for two or three weeks while in school, college and county health officials said. The student, who was not identified, left school about three weeks ago and is under medical treatment at home.

The county has notified the student’s 98 classmates and four course instructors of their possible exposure and recommended they undergo in-class skin-test screening Nov. 28-29. The tests will be read at the college later in the week.

Students who have positive tests, indicating exposure to TB, will be given X-rays and other follow-up examinations and will be offered medication if necessary. Many people who have positive skin tests do not develop active disease.

TB is spread through the air when a person with infectious TB in the lungs coughs, sneezes, laughs or sings. While anyone can develop TB, those in close contact with an infectious person for a prolonged period of time are at greatest risk.

Anyone seeking information on tuberculosis may call the Orange County Health Care Agency at (714) 834-8790. Free screening is available at the County Pulmonary Diseases Service, 1725 W. 17th St. in Santa Ana. No appointment is necessary.