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Post Info TOPIC: Addressing the Issue of TB at Scranton High School
LusOnlyVoice


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Addressing the Issue of TB at Scranton High School
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I have been to the DD site and have seen that they are running with the TB story that was featured on WNEP last night ... I saw that broadcast myself and I have to say that at the very least it was quite disturbing ... especially to the people that go to school there and work there ... however the Health Department is saying that 50 people are in need of testing ... I personally feel that all should be tested ... but I am not a doctor ... so I am going to go with what they health department says. 

I have gone to the Centers of Disease Control website,  Division of Tuberculosis Elimination - Fact Sheets - Tuberculosis: General Information, I have copied and pasted the General information provided on this page (sorry if I borke the copyright rule) ... hopefully this will help to lay to rest the fears of the people going to school and working at Scranton High School.


What Is TB?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. A person with TB can die if they do not get treatment.


What Are the Symptoms of TB?

The general symptoms of TB disease include feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. The symptoms of TB disease of the lungs also include coughing, chest pain, and the coughing up of blood. Symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the body depend on the area affected.


How is TB Spread?

TB germs are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. These germs can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. Persons who breathe in the air containing these TB germs can become infected; this is called latent TB infection.


What Is the Difference Between Latent TB Infection and TB Disease?

People with latent TB infection have TB germs in their bodies, but they are not sick because the germs are not active. These people do not have symptoms of TB disease, and they cannot spread the germs to others. However, they may develop TB disease in the future. They are often prescribed treatment to prevent them from developing TB disease.

People with TB disease are sick from TB germs that are active, meaning that they are multiplying and destroying tissue in their body. They usually have symptoms of TB disease. People with TB disease of the lungs or throat are capable of spreading germs to others. They are prescribed drugs that can cure TB disease.


What Should I Do If I Have Spent Time with Someone with Latent TB Infection?

A person with latent TB infection cannot spread germs to other people. You do not need to be tested if you have spent time with someone with latent TB infection. However, if you have spent time with someone with TB disease or someone with symptoms of TB, you should be tested.


What Should I Do if I Have Been Exposed to Someone with TB Disease?

People with TB disease are most likely to spread the germs to people they spend time with every day, such as family members or coworkers. If you have been around someone who has TB disease, you should go to your doctor or your local health department for tests.


How Do You Get Tested for TB?

There are two tests that can be used to help detect TB infection. The Mantoux tuberculin skin test is performed by injecting a small amount of fluid (called tuberculin) into the skin in the lower part of the arm. A person given the tuberculin skin test must return within 48 to 72 hours to have a trained health care worker look for a reaction on the arm. A second test is the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold test. The QuantiFERON®-TB Gold test is a blood test that measures how the patient’s immune system reacts to the germs that cause TB.


What Does a Positive Tuberculin Skin Test or QuantiFERON®-TB Gold test Mean?

A positive tuberculin skin test or QuantiFERON®-TB Gold test only tells that a person has been infected with TB germs. It does not tell whether or not the person has progressed to TB disease. Other tests, such as a chest x-ray and a sample of sputum, are needed to see whether the person has TB disease.



What is Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)?

BCG is a vaccine for TB disease. BCG is used in many countries, but it is not generally recommended in the United States. BCG vaccination does not completely prevent people from getting TB. It may also cause a false positive tuberculin skin test. However, persons who have been vaccinated with BCG can be given a tuberculin skin test or QuantiFERON®-TB Gold test.


Why Is Latent TB Infection Treated?

If you have latent TB infection but not TB disease, your doctor may want you to take a drug to kill the TB germs and prevent you from developing TB disease. The decision about taking treatment for latent infection will be based on your chances of developing TB disease. Some people are more likely than others to develop TB disease once they have TB infection. This includes people with HIV infection, people who were recently exposed to someone with TB disease, and people with certain medical conditions


How Is TB Disease Treated?

TB disease can be cured by taking several drugs for 6 to 12 months. It is very important that people who have TB disease finish the medicine, and take the drugs exactly as prescribed. If they stop taking the drugs too soon, they can become sick again; if they do not take the drugs correctly, the germs that are still alive may become resistant to those drugs. TB that is resistant to drugs is harder and more expensive to treat. In some situations, staff of the local health department meet regularly with patients who have TB to watch them take their medications. This is called directly observed therapy (DOT). DOT helps the patient complete treatment in the least amount of time.


Additional Information

CDC. Questions and Answers AboutTB (2005).



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I want everyone to stop and think about one thing ... Joe Pilchesky is not a lawyer ... he's just a guy playing a lawyer on the internet.  Please don't trust your legal needs to this man.
Agamemnon


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Joe Pilchesky', '', this, 0);">Joe Pilchesky



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Date: Fri Mar 2 12:45 AM, 2007
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 Quote | ReplyIS 'TB' AN ISSUE AT SCRANTON HIGH SCHOOL?

It's been reported to me by several sources, parents included, that there may be an issue concerning TB at the Scranton High School. This is what I was told: A child didn't feel well and went to the school nurse. The nurse recognized the symptoms as relating to TB and contacted the Dept. of Health. It was determined that the child was receiving treatment for TB, but not whether or not the child had TB, which makes little sense to me, but that is what was explained to the parents. Furthermore, the parents of approximately 50 students had been contacted regarding the situation. I'm told there were letters sent home to those parents. I'll try to get a copy.

***************

With a daughter at Scranton High, I have 'skin in the game' if you will with regard to this issue. While I am obviously concerned, so far I am satisfied with the response from the Scranton School District. Two points of clarification to the posting by the 'All Knowing, All Seeing' Joe Pilchesky at DD...

1. LETTER - I believe that all parents of SHS students received a letter (we did) informing us of the concern.
2. CONTACT - The letter states that parents would be contacted directly if their child (children) was one of approximately 50 who had direct contact with the student in question.

I'll be watching the DD response to this one...we all know that the DD crew loves a good tragedy. It's unfortunate if they decide, once again, to use a tragedy involving a child to further their political aims.


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LusOnlyVoice


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Ag,

I can honestly say I know how you feel ... it's quite a scary situation ... I decided that gathering the information on this diseas should be the first act that we here at PD should take in addressing this issue.

I myself have great concerns as I work at Scranton High ... it lays heavy on your mind ... wondering if you came into contact with this student ... there are not many who even know who the child is ... because it's really none of our business according to the HIPPA law ... but it still is on your mind wondering ...

I know that I was not one of the people notified that I need to be tested but just to be on the safe side I will be requesting from my family doctor that I be tested ... and that is just to put my mind at ease ... I'm an overthinker and that is the only way to stop myself from thinking about it.

I didn't know if I was going to address this issue here or not ... but when I went to DD very early this morning and saw that they were posting about it ... and could possibly cause a panic ... well I had to look it up and put the information out there about this disease ... I think Joe Pilchesky would have been better served to do the same than to post the usual crazy rants.

Any way am I rambling I think I am ... As you can see in the information that I provided ... just because someone is being treated for TB does not mean that they have TB ... if this child is being treated it could possibly be for Latent TB ... which means that he could get TB one day because it is in his system ... but when it's in the Latent stage it is not contageous ... but can be treated so this child will not contract full blown TB.

Joe Pilchesky needs to do a little research on this and we all need to see what the results of this childs tests are before we panic.

Lus

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I want everyone to stop and think about one thing ... Joe Pilchesky is not a lawyer ... he's just a guy playing a lawyer on the internet.  Please don't trust your legal needs to this man.
Paul


Fvck you, clown. Sue me.

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Agamemnon wrote:

Joe Pilchesky', '', this, 0);">Joe Pilchesky



Posts: 592
Date: Fri Mar 2 12:45 AM, 2007
Views: 53
Quote | ReplyIS 'TB' AN ISSUE AT SCRANTON HIGH SCHOOL?

It's been reported to me by several sources, parents included, that there may be an issue concerning TB at the Scranton High School. This is what I was told: A child didn't feel well and went to the school nurse. The nurse recognized the symptoms as relating to TB and contacted the Dept. of Health. It was determined that the child was receiving treatment for TB, but not whether or not the child had TB, which makes little sense to me, but that is what was explained to the parents. Furthermore, the parents of approximately 50 students had been contacted regarding the situation. I'm told there were letters sent home to those parents. I'll try to get a copy.

First of all, any information Joe gets concerning a specific individual is a violation of patient privacy laws.  Unless he has a child or immediate family member at the school, this is a medical issue to which he really has no business receiving detailed information.

Secondly, in regards to the student receiving treatment for TB whether or not he actually had TB, and how it baffled Dr. Pilchesky....of course he's confused.  It's common sense.  Much the same way that you begn treating a dog bite victim for rabies if it's suspected and symptoms indicate it, you begin treating the kid for TB if symptoms warrant, until it's ruled out.  It's called being aggressive and pro-active.  You have to treat things early, or there's no point treating them at all.  Stick to Legal System for Dummies, Joe.  The medical texts are way over your head.

Once again, logic and common sense eludes the old man.  It's getting too easy over here...



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His Girl Thursday


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Dr. Pilcheski, Esq. - has a funky ring to it.
Pretty soon it will be The Reverend Dr Esq.



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LusOnlyVoice


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Paul Wrote:

Secondly, in regards to the student receiving treatment for TB whether or not he actually had TB, and how it baffled Dr. Pilchesky....of course he's confused.  It's common sense.  Much the same way that you begn treating a dog bite victim for rabies if it's suspected and symptoms indicate it, you begin treating the kid for TB if symptoms warrant, until it's ruled out.  It's called being aggressive and pro-active.  You have to treat things early, or there's no point treating them at all.  Stick to Legal System for Dummies, Joe.  The medical texts are way over your head.

_______________________________________________________________


If you look at the original post it clearly explains why someone could be receiving treatment for TB if they don't have TB ... I will post the section again here so you don't have to go flipping around the posts.


What Is the Difference Between Latent TB Infection and TB Disease?

People with latent TB infection have TB germs in their bodies, but they are not sick because the germs are not active. These people do not have symptoms of TB disease, and they cannot spread the germs to others. However, they may develop TB disease in the future. They are often prescribed treatment to prevent them from developing TB disease.


People with TB disease are sick from TB germs that are active, meaning that they are multiplying and destroying tissue in their body. They usually have symptoms of TB disease. People with TB disease of the lungs or throat are capable of spreading germs to others. They are prescribed drugs that can cure TB disease.

Why Is Latent TB Infection Treated?


If you have latent TB infection but not TB disease, your doctor may want you to take a drug to kill the TB germs and prevent you from developing TB disease. The decision about taking treatment for latent infection will be based on your chances of developing TB disease. Some people are more likely than others to develop TB disease once they have TB infection. This includes people with HIV infection, people who were recently exposed to someone with TB disease, and people with certain medical conditions



If you have Latent TB Infection as you can see it does not mean that you necessarily have TB ... what it means basically is that you have it in your system and they will treat you so that you will not develop a full blown case of TB.  This is something that can not be contracted if it is Latent TB Infection it simply is not contagious ... and if this is the case then nobody has anything to fear or worry about.

Now when I said that we would have to wait for the results before we panic ... I did not in anyway mean that we will be told the childs name ... in fact I don't want to know his/her name ... I only want to know the results as this does in my opinion directly impact my personal well being along with the well being of my family.  I work in the building so I have the right to know the results ... I do not believe that Joe Pilchesky has the right to any of this information unless it is going to impact his life ... and I would have never even posted on this subject ... but I did see it posted to on DD ... so ... I felt the need to put out helpful information on this issue.

I have however taken my own steps to put my mind at ease ... I have called my M.D. and will be having a TB test ... just because ... it will make me feel better!  And I have family members who are student's at the school and they also will be tested ... just a precaution on our part!

Lus

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I want everyone to stop and think about one thing ... Joe Pilchesky is not a lawyer ... he's just a guy playing a lawyer on the internet.  Please don't trust your legal needs to this man.
Paul


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I wasn't trying to contradict anythnig you posted, Lus.  I was picking apart Joe's post.

I have vague memories about being tested and treated for TB as a child.  My uncle died from it, so several of us were exposed to it.  Joe seems to think, erroneously of course, that exposure to TB automatically means that one has it.  Turns out none of us did have it, but you just don't screw around with this, as I found out then.  If someone has been exposed, the best courst of action is to treat it, not to sit back and see if they they develop it.

You have reason to be concerned.  Joe does not, from what we can tell.  It's just Friday, and he needs a new cause to bellow about through the weekend.  Spin, fearmongering, lies, and deceit. It's Joe's M.O., and it's getting tiring.  It remains funny, though, watching all those pathetic souls over there eating up everything that loser feeds them, unquestioningly, like the "free thinkers" the old man tells them they are...

My point was that Joe is just as ignorant about medicine as he is the law.  The dumbass probably still thinks he can get HIV just from shaking hands with someone who has gay germs.  He also seems to think that his "position" as "spokesman for the people" makes him privvy to information when he is not.  He's simply John Q. Public as far as this is concerned, which doesn't really feed the ego much, does it?  He talks a good game, but he really is as dumb as a box of rocks.

No offense, boxes of rocks...

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LusOnlyVoice


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Well Paul I tried to post facts which I gathered up at the Center for Diseae Control website ... I thought where better to learn about it than there. My first objective was to somewhat know what the hell I was talking about before I posted about it ... apparently Joe didn't care enough about his "free thinkers" to get the facts for them.

I find this to be a very useful website to have since I am working in a School and can be exposed to numerous diseases ...

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for anyone who needs information on disease!

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I want everyone to stop and think about one thing ... Joe Pilchesky is not a lawyer ... he's just a guy playing a lawyer on the internet.  Please don't trust your legal needs to this man.
His Girl Thursday


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Is stupidity a dieease? Maybe we should post that link across the hall for the old girl.

I heard the maintenence crew across the hall won't dust up the white powder on some surfaces - 'a sceered of the anthracks.

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His Girl Thursday


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that should read 'disease'

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LusOnlyVoice


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http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/default.htm
How can I keep from spreading TB?

The most important way to keep from spreading TB is to take all your medicine, exactly as directed by your doctor or nurse. You also need to keep all of your clinic appointments! Your doctor or nurse needs to see how you are doing. You may need another chest x-ray or a test of the phlegm you may cough up. These tests will show whether the medicine is working. They will also show whether you can still give TB bacteria to others. Be sure to tell the doctor about anything you think is wrong.


If you are sick enough with active TB disease to go to a hospital, you may be put in a special room. These rooms use air vents that keep TB bacteria from spreading to other rooms. People who work in these special rooms must wear a special face mask to protect themselves from TB bacteria. You must stay in the room so that you will not spread TB bacteria to other people. Ask a nurse for anything you need that is not in your room.

If you are infectious while you are at home, there are certain things you can do to protect yourself and others near you. Your doctor may tell you to follow these guidelines to protect yourself and others:

  • The most important thing is to take your medicine.
  • Always cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough, sneeze, or laugh. Put the tissue in a closed bag and throw it away.
  • Do not go to work or school. Separate yourself from others and avoid close contact with anyone. Sleep in a bedroom away from other family members.
  • Air out your room often to the outside of the building (if it is not too cold outside). TB spreads in small closed spaces where air doesn't move. Put a fan in your window to blow out (exhaust) air that may be filled with TB bacteria. If you open other windows in the room, the fan also will pull in fresh air. This will reduce the chances that TB bacteria will stay in the room and infect someone who breathes the air.

Remember, TB is spread through the air. People cannot get infected with TB bacteria through handshakes, sitting on toilet seats, or sharing dishes and utensils with someone who has TB.

After you take medicine for about 2 or 3 weeks, you may no longer be able to spread TB bacteria to others. If your doctor or nurse agrees, you will be able to go back to your daily routine. Remember, you will get well only if you take your medicine exactly as your doctor or nurse tells you.


Think about people who may have spent time with you, such as family members, close friends, and coworkers. The local health department may need to test them for latent TB infection. TB is especially dangerous for children and people with HIV infection. If infected with TB bacteria, these people need medicine right away to keep from developing active TB disease.



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I want everyone to stop and think about one thing ... Joe Pilchesky is not a lawyer ... he's just a guy playing a lawyer on the internet.  Please don't trust your legal needs to this man.
Agamemnon


DD: Where logic & proportion have fallen sloppy dead.

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Lus...just a thanks from me to you for posting the information.

Nothing shows a more striking difference between this site and the Cult-O-Pilchesky than this issue:

At DD you have fanatics talking about closing the school, re-opening the West Mountain Sanatorium (Granma's suggestion...go figure) and looking to assign blame.

Here we have actual information about TB.


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LusOnlyVoice


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Ag ... you are welcome ... I think it's important to put up the facts ... to learn about it rather than look to shut the place down ... or go into a panic ... hopefully it will have a very good outcome ... I do know that I am going to have my test for this on Tuesday ... I called my Dr. and well it will just make me feel better to do this.  I am not one of the people required to be tested ... I am just doing it to make myself feel better!

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I want everyone to stop and think about one thing ... Joe Pilchesky is not a lawyer ... he's just a guy playing a lawyer on the internet.  Please don't trust your legal needs to this man.
LusOnlyVoice


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I am not going to pick on Granma ... and I don't know if she reads our site or not ... I'm thinking that she does ... even though she annoys the hell out of me I think she has some real concerns and if you understand her language she actually has some questions that need answers ... I know that Joe is not going to go out there and get the answers for her ... so I tried my best to calm her fears ... so here are her posts and the answers to some of her questions ... Granma I hope this helps you out!



Granma', '', this, 0);">Granma
Posts: 208
Date: Sat Mar 3 4:01 AM, 2007
Views: 17
RE: IS 'TB' AN ISSUE AT SCRANTON HIGH SCHOOL?

Mike wrote:

Have you ever had any contact with the nurse fron sranton high?.......... hic-up....hic-up..........what's her name patty sccchhelllenge, hic-up...........hic-up.........she ought to be run out of town back to clarks summit, let her take care of their kids.....
     I can't understand why the state is not stepping in. Or are they? How did it get from Stroudsburg  down here? Going to the mall's, grocery stores, eating places. Just how many people have been in contact with this? I feel one of the most likly places would be sport events. Such as basket ball, . Where people are in one closed in area and the people come from all over the area. Makes you kinda want to stay in your home and just close the door. But then again can it come into your home by , mail, newspapers? I don't know much about it, but it is getting very scary. Maybe we should end up wearing masks.



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The Pennsylvania Department of Health is stepping in Granma ... We don't know that it is the same person that spread this disease as the case in Stroudsburgh ... but it could have been ... it is an airborne disease which means that if I have it and cough, laugh, talk, etc. I now have put the bacteria into the air ... along comes a guy from say NYC ... he breaths in my bacteria now he brings it from Scranton to NYC ... that's not something that happened and I do not have it that I know of ... I am simply giving an example of how this could spread easily.

The bacteria will not come in your home through the mail ... it is something that lives in the air.  And I say if wearing a mask will make you feel better than you should ...


Granma', '', this, 0);">Granma
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Date: Sat Mar 3 4:27 AM, 2007
Views: 11
RE: IS 'TB' AN ISSUE AT SCRANTON HIGH SCHOOL?

   After reading Joe's post i did see the state is involved. I realize the privacy of this person, but HOW do we know we were not in contact with this person if we do not know the name. it should not be shameful for this person that picked this up. But it is shameful if we were exposed and do not know it. Did this person have job after school perhaps at a fast food restraunt?  There are so many questions. I know many years ago they had a place on West Mountain I believe for people that had the unfortunate  luck of contacting it. Of course with the pasing of it, the place was closed. Now all of a sudden after years it is back at us. I believe it is air borne. what about if you should touch something that someone that has it. I think I will go  and do some reading. I also hope the people that have contacted it are doing better. And no more reports of it. I think education on it is best right now.

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Granma these are actually very legitimate concerns ... you don't know if you have ever had contact with this child ... and even if you know his/her name what good will it do ... you still don't know if you have had contact ... and I am not trying to make fun of you ... this issue is not the one for me to pick on you ... but do you ask everyone their name when you are in the grocery line, or at the movies, there are so many situations such as being in an elevator with someone ... you don't know who they are ... if they are healthy or if they are sick ... so basically I am saying this even if the law allowed it ... it would still only help a very few to know the name ... the rest of us still would not know if we had contact in different situations.

As to the next question ... Remember, TB is spread through the air. People cannot get infected with TB bacteria through handshakes, sitting on toilet seats, or sharing dishes and utensils with someone who has TB.  A very good place to learn more about TB is at the Center for Disease Control website ... I think going there and reading up might just help calm some of your fears.


-- Edited by LusOnlyVoice at 08:12, 2007-03-03

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I want everyone to stop and think about one thing ... Joe Pilchesky is not a lawyer ... he's just a guy playing a lawyer on the internet.  Please don't trust your legal needs to this man.
LusOnlyVoice


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HighSpeedInternet', '', this, 0);">HighSpeedInternet



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Date: Sun Mar 4 9:26 AM, 2007
Views: 35
RE: IS 'TB' AN ISSUE AT SCRANTON HIGH SCHOOL?

Too bad the men and women who clean this school were never informed . Thats right ! They were never informed of the possible TB issue . One of the incompetent nurses actually requested that they disinfect the medical room without telling them about the issue. Two of the workers are responsible for cleaning that area. And still after 3 days have never been officially informed. Where is the responsibility here ? Where is their union ? Where is the administration ? Where is the infectious disease policy ? Why were they not tested ? Can you say coverup ? Someone must answer for this . These people are being trested like they don't exist. Even the company that runs the food service at Scranton High School had their people tested.


I have to agree with HighSpeedInternet on this one ... the Maintenance staff was not told or tested ... will not be tested and have been told nothing about this situation still, but have any employees been told?  I don't think so.
 
The kitchen workers are not School District Employees so they are treated differently than district employees ... They are employed by a private company Nutrition Inc., apparently their employer cares about the well being of the employees ... and well the SSD does not! 

I guess if it were not on WNEP news then none of the employees would not have found out at all.

These Nurses knew that there was a problem and wanted their office disinfected ... they knew why ... why didn't they tell the employees who were scrubbing down that office?  Why didn't they tell any of the employees?  I am thinking that there will be many meetings on this issue ... with both unions ... I don't think it's a matter of the unions not doing anything ... it's a matter that in order to have meetings on this issue you need the Personnel Manager (HR person in most places)  ... and well from what I understand he is out of town right now ... but hopefully these unions are going to work together on this issue.  I think if we take a stand together we  will have a better chance at creating a policy that will work for all ... students, Faculty and Staff.

I do not believe that we need to be in a panic over this situation ... but I do believe that the employees (all of them) should have been told of this situation ... so that the proper precautions could have been taken.

I am not even going to write any more than this ... because I agree with this DD poster!  This entire situation should have and could have been handled better.



-- Edited by LusOnlyVoice at 04:40, 2007-03-05

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I want everyone to stop and think about one thing ... Joe Pilchesky is not a lawyer ... he's just a guy playing a lawyer on the internet.  Please don't trust your legal needs to this man.
His Girl Thursday


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paraphrased from the old girl ::: Maybe we should end up wearing masks :::
un-huh -- I hear she was rooting around in the basement for her Richard Nixon mask

what a doofus


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Agamemnon


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I attended the TB meeting yesterday evening at Scranton HS (well most of it...I had another meeting at the school to attend as well) and I was actually surpised at the turnout...as in far less than I expected.

As for the outcome, while I appreciate the effort being made to both contain this and to communicate to parents, I am troubled by one thing: inability to get testing. Specifically, my wife and I have inquired about geting our middle daughter (a freshman at SHS) tested for TB and were told by our health plan the the state Department of Health will not allow her to be tested. When pressed last night, the DoH representatives confirmed that they are not allowing anyone other than those in certain groups to be tested.

Now if anyone has read anything I've posted here over the past few months, it's clear that I abhor whiners, conspiracy theorists, etc. In fact, I find few things more funny than one of Anti's ICN posts. In keeping with that thought, my wife and I were NOT among those who were droning on about how the school district had to pay for mandatroy testing for all students. Rather, we simply want to get our daughter tested, paying for it ourselves, just to be safe.  I can understand the logic behind the DoH wanting to control the number of test results they get, but sometimes cold hard logic has to give...just a little...in the face of a very reasonable request by a parent concerned about children that they love more than life itself. I am sure that a model could be developed that would allow for non-at-risk test results to be segregated from those who are in the at-risk group at SHS.

It's a sad day when you see government put expediency (not getting too many test results) in front of common sense (allowing a parent to get a child tested for TB).

-- Edited by Agamemnon at 07:27, 2007-03-07

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IHavehadenoughofhaters


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RE: Addressing the Issue of TB at Scranton High School
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Ag I agree that I do not why they (DOH) won't test just to be safe, however to be safe I called my personal care physician.  They are doing the test for me np.  I believe my insurance is also going to pay as we can demonstrate a need for the testing(not a direct contact but attending the school provides the need). Of course if they deny coverage I will be happy to pay myself, as you stated you would also. Maybe you could give this a try with your family Dr?  Let us know how it goes.

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LusOnlyVoice


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Ag ... I also am going to my family physician and he is going to do a TB test for me ... I am taking this step to put my own mind at ease.

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Agamemnon


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We actually called our healthcare provider (Geisinger Health Plan) to get the test scheduled, but they told us that the DoH said they were not allowed to perform the test.  Maybe it's different because Lus works at the school.  Regardless, I'm going to keep pressing this one...

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LusOnlyVoice


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RE: Addressing the Issue of TB at Scranton High School
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From the World Health Orgainzation website:  WHO | Tuberculosis

If diagnosed with either TB or Latent TB it is very important to take your medication as your Doctor instructs ... because if you do not this is what you are going to end up with!

Drug-resistant TB


Until 50 years ago, there were no medicines to cure TB. Now, strains that are resistant to a single drug have been documented in every country surveyed; what is more, strains of TB resistant to all major anti-TB drugs have emerged. Drug-resistant TB is caused by inconsistent or partial treatment, when patients do not take all their medicines regularly for the required period because they start to feel better, because doctors and health workers prescribe the wrong treatment regimens, or because the drug supply is unreliable. A particularly dangerous form of drug-resistant TB is multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), which is defined as the disease caused by TB bacilli resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampicin, the two most powerful anti-TB drugs. Rates of MDR-TB are high in some countries, especially in the former Soviet Union, and threaten TB control efforts.


While drug-resistant TB is generally treatable, it requires extensive chemotherapy (up to two years of treatment) that is often prohibitively expensive (often more than 100 times more expensive than treatment of drug-susceptible TB), and is also more toxic to patients.

WHO has developed new guidelines for the programmatic management of drug-resistant TB. Quality-assured second-line anti-TB drugs are available at reduced prices for projects approved by the Green Light Committee.



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LusOnlyVoice


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Well, I went and got my TB test this morning ... just getting the test took a load off my mind.

Ag ... my physician didn't even question me as to why I wanted it ... although I did tell him ... so I would suggest trying another physician or your own again.

Now I do not like to really spread gossip ... well this isn't gossip ... when I was coming out of the Dr.'s office in the waiting room was a friend of mine she and I have been friends for years ... her son is a student at Scranton High and in sports with the student who has TB ... when she called the school to inquire about testing she was told that she should not be worried by Patty Schrekingast (sp?) the School District's Chief Nurse ... she was also told not to contact her family physician because he would not test her son ... That is not true in this mother's case ... because she and I have the same physician and well he tested me so I do not imagine that he would not test this student.  So anyone who has been instructed by the School District to not seek testing on their own (although Ag tried and was not successful) do not rely on the say of this nurse alone ... call your physician and maybe just maybe you will be able to get the testing that you are looking for.

I do not think that in this situation that you wanting testing if you feel you may have been exposed is an over reaction ... but that is after all simply my opinion!



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I'm going to guess that Teachers Pet if Fay Franus and her favorite teacher is ... well of course her queen ...  Janet Evans
This post is kind of distrubing because here you have someone who is pretending to know more about Scranton H.S. and TB than they really do ...  You people can lie about all of the things you want and think that nobody will ever call you on it ... well PET I'm calling you on this one!

 
teachers pet', '', this, 0);">teachers pet



Posts: 11
Date: Wed Mar 7 6:48 PM, 2007
Views: 466
RE: TB Meeting at High School with Dept. of Health on March 6 at 7 PM

New letter sent out only to classes on the first floor. The kid who was sick was very, very sick the day he went to the nurses station, with vomiting. They never disinfected the nurses office.
Oh yeah they disinfected the place ... and were never told why they were scrubbing everything down with bleach ... how about that one ... so they went in wearing gloves ... but gloves were to do them no good on this day ... what they needed and were never told they needed or even offered ... were masks ... so that they would not breath in the bacteria.  But that's ok they are only janitors ... they only cleaned the rooms that this child was in for god only knows how long ... where that bacteria hung in the air for several hours at a time.  You know what Pet you don't know jack $hit about anything going on at that school.  Do you?
here is another Post of the offensive one:
teachers pet', '', this, 0);">teachers pet



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Date: Thu Mar 8 10:39 PM, 2007
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RE: Is TB Total Bull? - second letter sent to parents is here, not what Times printed

Has anyone made the connection of the school not being closed down to the upcoming PSA testing next week? If those kids can't take the test, the school is in jeopardy of losing funding from the federal government.

Also, the juniors are offered prizes for showing a good effort in taking the test, and those prizes cost money. But, the second letter that was sent to the kids was only distributed on the first floor classes the reason given that the school didn't have enough money to make copies for 2200 students. Which by the way, is over the maximum capacity of that school of 1900.

Is this pay to play politics at its dirtiest level? Pay with the kids health (and the public's for that matter) to play with federal dollars?

Hey Pet it would be the Department of Healths decision not the Schools on the matter of closing it down... we can blame politics for a lot ... but this is not one of them ... if it were a true epidemic I have no doubt that the place would be shut down ... do I get a bit parinoid over the issue of TB ... you betcha I do ... but that's because I am there everyday ... if this bothers you so much go get a test ... that's what I did ...
You know what if we can't spend a few dollars on the kids then what the hell are we here for ... don't you think that if the kids show up and do the best that they can on the test then they deserve a small reward ... I don't think there is anything wrong with that.  But that's just my opinion!
And another thing there are not 2200 kids in the school there is a little over 1900 ... and how about putting up that law that you are talking about ... over crowding is a major problem for a lot of schools ... I don't think it's a crime ... but the solution to that would be to build another school ... is that what you want?
teachers pet', '', this, 0);">teachers pet



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Date: Wed Mar 14 7:04 PM, 2007
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RE: Is TB Total Bull? - second letter sent to parents is here, not what Times printed

the second round of testing was finished this week for the additional 82 people, but i didn't see anything in the paper. there hasn't been any letter distributed to the kids at school either. anyone have any info? this seems like it's really been haphazard in how the school has handled the situation, since the first letter said that no one tested positive, but then two kids were treated. i just think the second round of test results should be made available to everyone.
Maybe they had no instances of Latent TB infection this time around ... could that be why they have not reported ... see TB and Latent TB infection is ... well news ... and when the results are clean ... now it's old news and they don't want to report it.
This would also explain why not letter to test more student's was sent out.  But I do have to agree with you ... it is my feeling that all students, facutly members, and staff should have been tested ... that way we know for sure that nobody has been missed.
Do you have a right to the results ... I don't know ... but I will give you my opinion ... if it does not affect you in anyway ... then no you don't have the right to know ... why should you know more than the people who are directly involved.

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LusOnlyVoice


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I must apologize to the DD poster Teachers Pet ... I was wrong when I stated that maybe there were no cases of Latent TB found ... well I was wrong and at the same time I was not wrong, because as they reported on the morning news (channel 16) it wasn't Latent ... it was TB.

I just assumed that since the last round of testing took place so long ago ... or at least it seems that it took place forever ago. That our building was clear this time ... well I don't think that the district should wait ... but that is just my opinion ... I just wish that I didn't have to keep seeing this on the morning news or the evening news.

Across the hall they say that the people in the building are informed ... well I can tell you this ... I learn my information on this in the same manner as everyone else ... through the Channel 16 news ... so no we are no more informed than the general public.



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LusOnlyVoice


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So how about this:


jen44
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Date: Wed Mar 28 10:58 AM, 2007
Views: 5
Quote | Reply
RE: Is TB Total Bull? - second letter sent to parents is here, not what Times printed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i saw an article in the sunday paper about how the fda was having a public hearing about the tainted bacteria and spinach in california. there making a really big deal of it where 3 people died and 350 were sick by it. when this happened, i remember nationwide news warning everyone about the spinach, and making a really big deal about it.

doesn't this tb issue compare to the ecoli one? shouldn't the paper and the authorities be making a widespread public service announcement to everyone in the region? why aren't they? i know the scranton schools went ahead with their sports games and if any of those kids were infected, now you have kids from out of the area being exposed. i think someone needs to report this lack of public coverage to the state department. this is really negligent. since this has been going on for more than a month, i think the school doesn't want this made public cause people in my neighborhood who have kids that go to private schools have not been notified or warned that their kids can be at risk, now.


Now I'm thinking ... if they didn't want to inform the people in the building everyday ... why would they want to tell people with children in private school!

The district is handling this the way they were told by the state department of health ... so go ahead and tell the state ... this is the way the state wants it!

I'm saying its right ... it's the government! (state government)



-- Edited by LusOnlyVoice at 11:19, 2007-03-28

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LusOnlyVoice


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Well I just watched the WBRE evening news and well ... there will be no futher testing done for TB at Scranton High School ... even though the Administrators feel it is necessary ... it seems that the State Department of Health does not feel there is a need for further testing.

They are holding a meeting on Monday April 2, 2007 at 6:00 PM in the Auditorium of Scranton High School.

I have to say that since they found another case of TB in the High School I am a bit ... ok more than a bit upset ... that they are not testing everyone. I have had my test ... but I feel for those of you who have not ...

I am planning on attending this meeting ... and I would suggest that anyone who has questions concerning the testing also please be in attendance.

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Agamemnon


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I'll definitely be there...thanks for the updates Lus.

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LusOnlyVoice


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Your welcome Ag! I post here with you in mind!

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LusOnlyVoice


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Ok Ag ... WBRE reported wrong ... imagine, they said there would be no further testing ... so here it is ... the District wanted everyone in the building ... all students tested ... the Dept. of Health said there was no need to test everyone ... they are testing close to 100 more students. I am not exactly sure of the number but its close to 100 ... And the meeting is at 6:00 PM Monday April 2, 2007 in the Auditorium of Scranton High. I guess the School Board meeting is right after this meeting so I don't know how long the meeting with the Health Dept. will be.

But they are testing more students.

Lus

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Agamemnon


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Clearly the Department of Health knows how to deal with these things, being backed up sound science and years of experience. Usually I am the first to defend just such an approach, as I consider myself to be a fairly logical, reasoned person. But you know what? I'm a dad first, and my children mean the world to me. That trumps logic and reasoning. So I'm going to attend the meeting and I'll want to hear that I can get my daughter tested on my own. If I don't hear that I'll do my best Fay Franus imitation on these folks.

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