Talking About Tuberculosis: EU Holds TB Info Session To Assuage Student, Staff Concerns

On Nov. 6, Elmhurst University held an information session via Zoom to inform the campus community about tuberculosis (TB) and key things to know. This comes after news broke on Oct. 31 that two students on campus had tested positive for TB, prompting EU to take action.

Since then, a third student has tested positive and is being treated off-campus. EU has conducted contact tracing and sent out emails to students who may have been exposed to those who tested positive.

Additionally, free testing was made available throughout the week of Nov. 4. According to President Dr. Troy Vanaken, 180 people have been tested as of Nov. 8, and all tests so far have come back negative.

The Zoom session was led by President Troy VanAken and Phil Riordan as well as faculty in the Department of Nursing and Public Health, which includes professors Julie Glendenning, Molly Tran, Laura Minarich, and Diane Salvador. Ashley Matese, Assistant Director of Public Health at the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD), joined as well to help inform and alleviate fears regarding TB.

Who is at risk?

Individuals who have had prolonged exposure to someone who is symptomatic and contagious, such as roommates, faculty, and classmates, as well as the individual’s social network such as family and friends are at risk. Those who have a weakened immune system, such as those with HIV or substance use, are also at risk as well. Furthermore, babies and children should be tested immediately.

TB is at EU, what do I do now?

Matese expressed, “There’s no reason to stop what you’re doing because of one active TB case. Again, I understand it’s scary not knowing who the individual may be. Us not being able to disclose that and not knowing where that individual may have been going.” However, she explained that to catch TB, you have to have prolonged close contact with someone with active symptoms and unless you are exhibiting those symptoms, there is no concern that you are contagious. It is important that EU community members continue to monitor their own health and watch out for signs and symptoms of TB.

What is latent vs active TB?

Latent diseases remain dormant in the body until our immune system changes. Glendenning explained, “Not everyone infected with TB germs becomes sick. If someone’s been exposed to tuberculosis, but they’re a healthy individual, their body and their immune system may fight off that. And again, it may be dormant.”

Latent TB means that the patient may have a small amount of TB germs in their body that are alive, but the germs are sleeping and not spreading. However, latent TB can turn active, but it is treatable even during the latent stage.

Active TB means that a patient has a large amount of germs in their body and are contagious. Therefore, this type of positive TB is what leads to the disease spreading, but again it spreads through prolonged exposure. Casual exposure such as through passing isn’t enough to catch TB. Usually, those with active TB have a positive blood/skin test as well as an abnormal chest X-ray.

What are symptoms of active TB?

Symptoms of active or contagious TB include a cough lasting longer than three weeks, coughing up blood or phlegm, weakness/being lethargic, fever, chills, night sweats, loss of appetite, and significant weight loss in a short period. Because it is cold and flu season, there is some confusion regarding what separates TB from other illnesses. Symptoms of TB are much more severe compared to symptoms of a cold or flu. Additionally, TB causes a chronic cough, something not prevalent with a cold or flu. However, if you are nervous about your symptoms, EU and DCHD urges you to go test for your own peace of mind.

Should we mask up?

Matese states, “It’s more of a personal preference. Masks aren’t necessary unless you’re an individual that is exhibiting symptoms. So, if you have symptoms, you should immediately wear a mask and then get tested. But as just an individual on campus that was not contacted as a close contact, you should not have any concerns. We’ve reached out if you were a close contact, so you should have been contacted at this time. So, if you were not contacted, you shouldn’t have any concerns.” Furthermore, TB does not spread like COVID-19, so masking is not mandated.

Although TB is a new problem to campus, the disease has been around for thousands of years and has been researched extensively. EU is continuing to update their web page regarding TB with resources provided by both the CDC and DCHD. It is treatable, and Ashley Matese wants our community to know, “You’re in good hands.”