Tuberculosis scare at FCC

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A health scare at Fresno City College had some students worried they may have been exposed to tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease which can be spread through coughing or sneezing. But medical experts said exposure over an extended period of time was needed to spread TB.

Word spread quickly on campus but Fresno City College students hoped the tuberculosis bacteria doesn't spread at all.

FCC freshman Celeste Luna said, "It worries me because it's on campus and anyone can get it so it is a worry."

The 275 students who shared a class with the infected student have all been notified. Many of them have undergone TB skin tests to see if they have been exposed.

Fresno City College spokesperson Kathy Bonilla said, "I know it's frightening to hear something like that and to think that you may have been exposed. That's why we want to make sure that these students know about the exposure."

Free tuberculosis testing has been made available at the Health Services center - not just for classmates but for any concerned students.

David Luchini of the Fresno County Health Department said tuberculosis symptoms included much more than a nagging cough.

Luchini explained, "You have that fever that's not going way. Low-grade fever, usually it happens in the afternoon. Night sweats. Unexplained weight loss is a big thing."

The TB case brought an uneasy feeling to many students preparing for finals.

FCC freshman Yaritza Reyes said, "It did because I volunteer for a hospice service and I visit patients at a nursing home and that is one of the requirements."

Luchini said tuberculosis is treatable but stressed the skin test was essential to confirm exposure.

42 cases of tuberculosis were reported in Fresno county last year.