Riverside City College students are being urged to get tested for tuberculosis after a student was diagnosed with an active case of the illness, county health officials announced this week.
The student, who has not been identified, is recovering after being treated, according to a news release posted on the Riverside County Public Health Department’s website.
County health officials are working with the school to identify any others who may have been exposed to the illness. To that end, a letter was being sent out to more than 200 students, urging them to get tested, the release stated.
Those who were possibly exposed can get a free TB test at a local community health clinic; anyone who hasn’t been notified by the college does not need to be tested, according to the release.
“While the risk of infection is low, it’s important that those who are notified take the time to get tested,” county Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser said in the release. “If you do test positive, we can treat you promptly.”
Tuberculosis can result in serious complications if left untreated. The airborne disease is spread through “prolonged, repeated and close contact” with an infected individual who has an active case, according to health officials.
It can’t be spread by shaking hands, sharing food or drink, or coming into contact with bed linens or toilet seats. Additionally, those with inactive cases of TB can’t infect others.