Lely High student tests positive for TB

Author: Jennifer Jones
Published:

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla.- A health scare at a Southwest Florida school.

WINK News has confirmed a Lely High School student has been diagnosed with tuberculosis.

Health department officials say parents should not worry that their children are sick.

Those who may have been exposed to the student have been notified that they should be tested for the disease.

According to health authorities, it takes hundreds of hours of repeated contact to spread the infection so they do not believe anyone else will test positive.

It is also difficult to determine exactly how the student became infected.

Tuberculosis can lie dorment until the germs become active. Symptoms include excessive coughing, coughing up blood, feeling weak, a fever, losing weight, or sweating a lot at night.

It’s also important to note the student started experiencing symptoms during the holiday break and has not been back to school since.

The student is being treated and once they are no longer infected, they will return to school.

The health department is being extra cautious and do not believe the public or any students are at risk.

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