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Parents waiting to learn more after someone tested positive for TB at CE Williams Middle


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A health scare has a Charleston County middle school taking extra measures.

Families of students at C.E. Williams Middle School were notified that someone at the school tested positive for tuberculosis.

School officials sent out automated phone calls and notification letters to individuals who may have been exposed to the disease. The school is following recommendations set by the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Tuberculosis is an airborne illness, a bacterial infection of the lungs. Dr. Edward Galaid, Medical Director of Occupational Medicine at Roper St. Francis, said it's an airborne illness, but adds transmission is unlikely in a school environment.

"We have an opportunity to prevent infection and the people we're most concerned about are household contacts," said Galaid.

Galaid said if caught early, tuberculosis is highly curable with antibiotics.

On Thursday, Ashley Moron, a 6th grader at C.E. Williams Middle said she was sent home with a letter. Until then, she had never heard of tuberculosis.

"I mean, a couple people were out there scared but other than that, they were calm," Ashley Moron. "They sent a letter home saying that we should probably go check out like the doctor because we don't exactly know if we have it."

Galaid said a simple skin test can produce results within 48 hours.

"The skin test is a very small injection typically into the forearm of killed bacteria fragments that stimulate the immune system, same way as if you were getting a skin test when you went to the allergist," said Galaid.


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