Tuberculosis is treatable with antibiotics, and health officials encourage those contacted to undergo testing as a precaution.
HARTSVILLE, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a case of tuberculosis (TB) linked to Hartsville High School, prompting a contact investigation to identify potential exposures.
Health officials say they are working closely with school leadership to determine who may have been exposed to the TB germ and needs testing. In addition to students and staff at Hartsville High, a small group of individuals outside the school—connected through transportation—are also being contacted for testing.
DPH and Hartsville High School officials say they are directly notifying those at risk and coordinating efforts to prevent the disease from spreading further.
Tuberculosis is treatable with antibiotics, and health officials encourage those contacted to undergo testing as a precaution. TB is spread through the air when a sick person with TB sneezes, coughs, or talks. It cannot be spread by eating or drinking after someone.
Common symptoms include fever, chills, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, a productive cough for three weeks or longer, chest pain, or coughing up blood.
Additional information, including frequently asked questions, can be found on DPH’s website or the CDC’s website.
