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Armwood High offers tuberculosis tests today

Tribune photo by LAURA FRAZIER

The infected person at Armwood High is being treated and does not pose a health risk, according to a news release from the health department.

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TBO.com

Published: May 11, 2009

Local health officials will be at Armwood High School today to test for tuberculosis.

A 17-year-old female student is being treated for the disease. Health officials said the student probably got the disease from a relative in an undisclosed country outside the United States.

Authorities identified about 250 students and employees at the Seffner school who could have been exposed to tuberculosis. Those people were notified by school officials and may volunteer to be tested for exposure today. If they test positive for the disease, treatment will be provided. If they test negative, a follow-up test to ensure they have not contracted tuberculosis will be offered in two to three months.

Tuberculosis is a disease of the lungs that spreads through airborne particles. Typically, one must be exposed to an infected person for a prolonged period in a poorly ventilated area to be infected. The disease is treated with antibiotics.

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