All students entering Loudoun County Public Schools for the first time in 2007-08 are required to provide documentation that a tuberculosis (TB) screening has been performed no earlier than Jan. 17, 2007.
Dr. David Goodfriend recommended the School Board adopt the policy for the 2007-08 school year because of the increase in the number of TB cases in the Northern Virginia area over the past few years.
The TB screening is a questionnaire. After answering the questions, a health-care professional may determine that it is necessary to perform a skin test.
A small amount of fluid is injected just under the skin. After 48-72 hours, the skin is checked for a reaction. If a child tests positive for TB, it means that the child was likely exposed to TB in the past. A chest X-ray may be necessary to make sure they are not contagious.
For more information about TB, visit the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Web site www.cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/faqs/qa.htm, call Goodfriend at 703-771-5829 or e-mail david.goodfriend@loudoun.gov.