EKB News

{West Virginia}...A confirmed case of tuberculosis or TB in Huntington has the Cabell-Huntington Health Department taking proactive steps. Elizabeth Ayers, the public health educator with the health department, says they can't release any information about the person involved, but they have contacted those believed to have been in contact with the carrier to request they have a TB skin test. TB is spread through the air, one person to another. When someone with an active case coughs, sneezes or speaks, anyone nearby can breath in the TB bacteria and become infected. Symptoms of TB include a bad cough for three weeks or longer, pain in the chest, coughing up blood, weakness and fatigue, weight loss, no appetite, chills, fever and night sweats. If you show those signs, you can call the TB hotline at (304) 526-3397 or log on to www.cabellhealth.org. You cannot get TB by shaking someone's hand, sharing food or drink, touching toilet seats or kissing.