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Source: http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5iyBxmp6b6un-5RXb2CebicxbL6mw
33 nursery children treated for TB
Thirty-three children at a nursery are being treated for tuberculosis (TB), the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said.
It said it was responding to a "cluster" of TB cases at a nursery in Westminster in central London, after an adult linked to the nursery was diagnosed with the disease over the summer.
Seven children have been diagnosed with an active infection and have been put on a six-month course of antibiotics. Another 26 have been found to have the TB bacteria in their bodies but do not have an active infection.
TB can lie dormant in the body so those children are on a shorter three-month course of antibiotics.
One adult is receiving full treatment for TB and another six are on the shorter course of treatment. The HPA said screening was carried out of all people who had had close contact with the infected adult, who was diagnosed in July.
"Results have now been received for most of the children who were screened and seven children are receiving antibiotic treatment for TB," the HPA said in a statement.
"A further 26 children who came into contact with the patient will need a shorter course of antibiotics. Some further tests are still being examined and because TB can be difficult to diagnose in children, it is possible that some children may require further tests to ensure they are properly diagnosed and treated if necessary.
"All adults who currently work at the nursery have been screened and this showed that one required full treatment, and a further six required a shorter course of treatment. The adult on full treatment has been excluded from work.
"Although it is thought unlikely that this second adult case will be infectious to others, some of their close contacts are also being followed up and offered screening."
The original patient is receiving treatment and is no longer infectious.
33 nursery children treated for TB
Thirty-three children at a nursery are being treated for tuberculosis (TB), the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said.
It said it was responding to a "cluster" of TB cases at a nursery in Westminster in central London, after an adult linked to the nursery was diagnosed with the disease over the summer.
Seven children have been diagnosed with an active infection and have been put on a six-month course of antibiotics. Another 26 have been found to have the TB bacteria in their bodies but do not have an active infection.
TB can lie dormant in the body so those children are on a shorter three-month course of antibiotics.
One adult is receiving full treatment for TB and another six are on the shorter course of treatment. The HPA said screening was carried out of all people who had had close contact with the infected adult, who was diagnosed in July.
"Results have now been received for most of the children who were screened and seven children are receiving antibiotic treatment for TB," the HPA said in a statement.
"A further 26 children who came into contact with the patient will need a shorter course of antibiotics. Some further tests are still being examined and because TB can be difficult to diagnose in children, it is possible that some children may require further tests to ensure they are properly diagnosed and treated if necessary.
"All adults who currently work at the nursery have been screened and this showed that one required full treatment, and a further six required a shorter course of treatment. The adult on full treatment has been excluded from work.
"Although it is thought unlikely that this second adult case will be infectious to others, some of their close contacts are also being followed up and offered screening."
The original patient is receiving treatment and is no longer infectious.