By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

A KINDERGARTEN student at Finegayan Elementary School has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis, the Department of Public Health and Social Services reported yesterday.
The student has been taken out of the classroom and given TB medication. According to DPHSS, the student will not return to the classroom until a medical clearance is given.
DPHSS is now working with the Guam Public School System and various school officials to identify everyone who has had close contact with the student and recommend them for TB screening.
All faculty and parents of students identified as “close contacts” will be notified by letter and provided information on the dates for the TB screening.
Free TB skin tests will be conducted at Finegayan Elementary School on Feb. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Identified students and staff who do not complete the required TB skin tests by Feb. 12 will be excluded from school until the TB skin test has been completed.
DPHSS said this exclusion is necessary to ensure that all affected students and employees receive the necessary testing.
The required skin tests can also be obtained through public clinics, but DPHSS said the results of these tests must be submitted to the school by Feb. 12 in order to avoid exclusion.
According to DPHSS, tuberculosis is not easily contracted and the risk is low to faculty and students who have not had prolonged exposure in an enclosed environment with the TB case.
The bacteria that causes tuberculosis is carried through the air in infectious droplet nuclei too small for the naked eye, produced when persons with TB of the lung or larynx sneeze, cough, speak, or laugh.
People cannot get infected with TB bacteria through handshakes, sitting on toilet seats, or sharing dishes and utensils with someone who has TB disease. Symptoms of the disease include a bad cough that lasts longer than two weeks, coughing up bloody sputum, weakness or fatigue, chills, weight loss, no appetite, fever and night sweats.
According to DPHSS, this information has already been distributed to all faculty and parents of students attending Finegayan Elementary School.