What is the risk of my child getting TB at Central Falls High School?
The risk of getting TB is very low but increases slightly when you have been exposed to a person with active TB. The risk increases the more frequently you are in close contact with a person with active TB, or when you are in the same room for long periods of time (e.g. same classroom). However, even then, most people do not develop TB. The recommendation for people who have been exposed to a person with active TB is to have two TB skin tests, one now and another in 10 weeks.

Who should be screened for TB at Central Falls High School?
The Department of Health recommends that the following groups of students be screened:

All members of the junior and senior class out of an abundance of caution
Other students that may have spent extended periods of time in close contact with the student with active TB which the Department of Health have identified through discussions with the student and teachers.

Other students, faculty and staff at the school do not need to be tested at this time unless additional new cases of TB are discovered.

Why does my child need a second TB skin test in 10 weeks?
The TB skin test can be falsely negative (e.g., show no reaction) in students who may have been infected recently (in the past several weeks). The TB germ grows slowly and your body’s immune system takes time to react to it. Therefore, when screening students who have been recently exposed to a person with active TB, you need to repeat the TB skin test 10 weeks later to be sure that you have not been infected with TB.

Should I keep my child out of school?
Students do not need to be kept out of school. The student with TB is being treated and will return to school when no longer able to spread TB. Students who have had TB in the past or latent TB do not need to be kept home as they cannot spread TB. Only students with active TB in the lungs need to be kept home until treatment has been started and are no longer able to spread TB.

Can my child pick up TB from the school?
You cannot get TB from someone’s clothes, drinking glass, eating utensils, cell phone, handshake, toilet, or other surfaces where a TB patient has been. TB is most commonly spread from a person with active TB in their lungs. When someone with active TB disease in their lungs or throat coughs, sings or speaks, TB bacteria may be released into the air. TB is not spread in food and cannot be killed by air fresheners. TB does not live very long outside of the body. You do not get TB from the environment (such as desk tops).

What do I do if my child has swelling or redness at site of the skin test?
People may have some redness or swelling at the site of the skin tests. This does not mean you have TB; it must be checked by a nurse or doctor. The skin test may also itch. Do not scratch or rub the site. You can put a cold cloth on it. You can take two Tylenol (i.e. acetaminophen) if it hurts. If the swelling and redness gets larger than a quarter, see the school nurse the next day.

Does the school need to be disinfected?
TB does not live very long outside of the body. You do not get TB from touching the environment (such as desk tops or toilets). TB does not live in the air-conditioning or ventilation system. Because TB is spread by inhaling the TB bacteria after someone with active TB in their lungs or throat coughs, disinfecting the environment (e.g. desk tops, rugs, etc) does not help prevent the spread of TB. TB is not spread in food and cannot be killed by air fresheners.

How will we be notified of the skin test results?
All students who are tested will get their results to bring home. Any student with a positive result will also get a phone call from the school nurse and a letter mailed home.

What will happen if my child’s skin test result is positive?
A positive test does not mean that your child has TB. Your child will be referred to the RISE TB Clinic for a chest x-ray and further medical evaluation to determine if they need treatment. All care at the RISE clinic including tests (e.g. x-rays) and treatments (e.g. medications) are paid for by the Department of Health. The school nurse and the Department of Health staff will help arrange your appointments at the RISE clinic.

Where can I take my child with a positive skin test to be evaluated?
The RISE Clinic, located at 14 Third Street in Providence, is a tuberculosis specialty clinic sponsored by the Rhode Island Department of Health and is part of The Miriam Hospital system. RISE Clinic staff members are experienced in TB care and know how to safely evaluate and treat people with TB. The clinic works to eliminate the chances that these patients will ever get ill from TB or be able to pass TB on to others. All care including tests (e.g. x-rays) and treatments (e.g. medications) are free.

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