Black Country schoolchildren tested for tuberculosis
Hundreds of Black Country school children are to be tested for tuberculosis after a pupil was diagnosed with the potentially-deadly illness.
A total of 312 school children in Wednesbury and Halesowen now face the test to ensure the life-threatening infection has not spread.
The stricken pupil, who has not been identified, is now recovering with treatment, but has links to both Wood Green High School in Wednesbury and Leasowes Community College, Halesowen.
Both schools are working closely with the local NHS and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to identify everyone who came into close and prolonged contact with the patient, and stressed the tests on other pupils are just a precautionary measure at this stage.
A joint letter from each school and the HPA has been sent to all parents, to ask for their permission to screen the children.
Twelve teachers have also been offered screening, which will involve a simple, painless skin test. Two days later, medics will assess the individual tests.
Anyone with a positive skin test result will be referred to see the TB specialist at their local hospital for further investigations.
Dr Naveed Syed, Consultant for the HPA, said: “We recognise that this is a time of concern for both parents and children, and we are working to make sure they have all the information they need to advise on what is a worrying but treatable infection.
“The risk of catching TB is fairly small, and generally requires a person to be in close contact for long periods of time with someone who has infectious TB.
“Generally, it is curable. The trick is to diagnose it early and get the appropriate treatment as soon as possible.”
Symptoms can include: fever, night sweats, persistent cough, weight loss and blood in sputum. Anyone who thinks they are suffering from these symptoms is urged to consult their GP immediately or NHS Direct on: 0845 46 47.
