OKLAHOMA: Tuberculosis Victim's Co-Workers Checked for Disease

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

OKLAHOMA: Tuberculosis Victim's Co-Workers Checked for Disease

Daily Oklahoman (12.23.04) - Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Susan Parrott

A man working at a Cingular Wireless call center in northwest Oklahoma City died Dec. 21 after contracting TB, and co- workers are being tested for the disease. The Oklahoma City- County Health Department said the man's death was not directly from TB, but that his other health problems may have been complicated by the infection.

Of 63 skin tests the department has given to co-workers and acquaintances, three tests were positive for exposure but not necessarily linked to the Cingular worker's TB case. The three testing positive had no signs of active disease; they may be tested further or undergo chest X-rays for confirmation.

"We said we'd test anyone from that company that wanted to come be tested," said H.R. Holman, health department spokesperson. Cingular also brought medical workers to the office to test workers and answer their questions. "We urged them all to get tested," said Frank Merriman, a Cingular spokesperson.

The department said at least two TB cases a year had resistance to the drugs usually used to treat the disease, which is generally curable. In Oklahoma, complications from TB caused 12 deaths in 2003, and four TB deaths are being investigated this year, the state Health Department said.
041228
AD042617

Copyright © 2004 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.