Recent cases of possible tuberculosis is an ongoing concern that students find troubling.

Tuberculosis also known as TB is a contagious disease which can be spread, if not treated properly, through the air by sneezing or coughing. Symptoms of tuberculous include, weight loss, night sweats, fevers, persistent coughing and coughing up blood. The disease may effect anyone of any age and some carries may not even show any blatant symptoms.

This disease is easily transmitted through, coughing, sneezing and laughing, according to an article on latimes.com. The article further states that when tuberculosis is untreated that the disease can cause death.

In the same article it reveals that a possible tuberculosis case has been found at Cal Poly Pomona. A student taking multiple classes at Cal Poly Pomona may have become infected with tuberculosis and has withdrawn from school and is currently undergoing treatment. The university notified more than 400 students, staff and faculty that may have been in prolonged contact with the carrier.

In light of what is going on at other campuses, the chances of possible tuberculosis cases occurring here at EC is plausible. However, it is important for students to know that there is a significant difference between tuberculosis the disease and tuberculosis the infection. Having the tuberculosis infection unlike the disease doesn’t mean that you can actually spread it.

“Generally the way you find out you have TB is that you get a TB test,”Debbie Conover, health center coordinator, said. “If you get a TB test and the test positive it doesn’t mean that you have active TB, it means that you have the TB infection it doesn’t mean that you have to disease, a positive TB result does not show that you have TB disease or that you can infect others.”

Though the tuberculosis infection can not be spread, concerned students can come into the Student Health Center where a tuberculosis test is offered for a fee.

“What happens here when a student has a TB test that is positive they get sent to the public health department or their private providers for a chest x-ray, if it shows that you have the TB disease they will treat you with medication over the course of a period,” Conover said.

With any type of infection or disease that is known to the public, growing concern of the disease and how to prevent from being infected or spreading it to others develops.

“It’s important for people to know how prevent something like that, I think thats why a lot of people spread diseases, they’re just not aware,” Kylie Richmond, 22, psychology major, said.

Students seem to be slightly aware of tuberculosis and are being cautious of their surroundings.

“I’ve heard of it, it’s gross when people cough around me to begin with. It makes me kind of paranoid now like thinking I could be in class and catch something, you know?” Angela Willis, 19, English major, said.

Though being properly tested and taking medication if needed will help prevent the spread of tuberculosis there are other ways to help decrease your chances of being infected. In the case of students who may be at risk for the disease the proper medical procedures will occur.

“The best way to prevent it is good hygiene, excellent hand washing, its endemic in areas that are heavily populated close living corridors, it is primarily a respiratory illness, airborne,” Deborah Herzik, health center nurse practitioner, said. “Start by screening the people at risk with a TB skin test if they have a positive a TB skin test then you do a chest x-ray, if the chest x-ray is normal, then if its a young person they would be offered medication to prevent them from having an active case of TB.”

While the concern of having or catching tuberculosis is justifiable, it’s important to understand that having proper knowledge of any diseases is the best way to ensure health safety.