Tuberculosis Case Confirmed At Suburban High School

WAUKEGAN, IL — An individual at Waukegan High School recently tested positive for active tuberculosis, according to the Lake County Health Department.

This week, the Lake County Health Department notified Waukegan High School of the recently diagnosed individual. The infected person is currently isolated from others and is undergoing treatment, officials said.

Waukegan High School officials shared the announcement with parents. Everyone who may have been exposed to the individual while they were contagious was contacted, officials said.

"Those who may have been exposed to the individual while they were contagious have been notified and we are working with them to set up a time for them to be tested," a Lake County Health Department spokesperson told Patch.

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by germs that spread from person to person through the air, though it isn't as highly contagious as the flu or a cold. Although tuberculosis is a treatable disease, it can result in death if left untreated.

Not everyone who is infected with TB becomes sick. Anyone who tests positive for TB but don't feel sick or have symptoms cannot spread the disease to others.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of active TB disease depend on where in the body the germs are growing. TB in the lungs may cause a prolonged, bad cough; pain in the chest; and coughing up blood or phlegm.

Other symptoms of active TB are

• Weakness or fatigue,
• Weight loss,
• No appetite,
• Chills,
• Fever, and
• Sweating at night.

"Treatment of latent TB can prevent active TB from developing which is why testing when exposed is important. We encourage anyone who is contacted by the Health Department about an exposure to take the necessary steps to get tested," Lake County Health said.