Health checks for pupils after teacher struck down with TB
SCHOOL pupils have been offered free screening for tuberculosis after an employee was diagnosed with the disease, it was announced today.
Clough Hall Technology School in Kidsgrove said one of its teaching staff was being treated for TB, but was expected to make a full recovery.
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Clough Hall Technology School, Kidsgrove
Staffordshire County Council said it was working with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and North Staffordshire Primary Care Trust to tackle the situation.
The council said in a statement: "In line with national guidance, family contacts have been offered screening.
"As an extra precautionary measure, all identified close contacts within the school will also be offered screening."
In a letter to parents, the school said the risk was "extremely low".
The letter read: "A member of our teaching staff was recently diagnosed with TB.
"We are pleased to inform you that the staff member is receiving appropriate treatment."
It added: "The risk is extremely low and usually only affects close household contacts."
Consultant for the HPA in Staffordshire Dr Nic Coetzee said: "The risk of catching TB infection is fairly small as it generally requires prolonged and close contact with someone who has TB to pose a risk.
"TB is generally a preventable and curable condition. The trick is to diagnose it early and get people with the infection into appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
"In most circumstances they will be completely cured in approximately six months on TB drugs and they will cease to be infectious after just two weeks on treatment.
He added: "Symptoms of TB can include fever and night sweats, persistent cough, weight loss and blood in sputum."
2 Comments
by joanne Hymers, stoke on trent
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 9:58PM
“Both my teenage daughters attend Clough Hall School. I have recived a letter about this.
Not all pupils are being offered the screening test for TB which is a concern of mine as TB can be caught in the same way as a cold, however low the risk may be it is not no risk and i feel that all children within the school should be screened and vaccinated .
I have contacted my GP and the private sector and the only way any child can be vaccinated at present is if they are from an ethnic minority.i do understand how these children are at risk however i feel that my children have been put at risk yet are not being offered a vaccination. I will keep trying to the best of my abillity to get my daughters vaccinated but i feel that it will all be in vein.”
by Ron, Penkhull
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 8:32PM
“Vodafone have also sent a letter to all Stoke / Newcastle employees to advise an employee in the area has also been diagnosed with the disease.”