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   Web Issue 3186 July 6 2008   
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TB outbreak strikes Glasgow family

Three children from the same family are being treated for suspected tuberculosis.

Parents at Haghill Primary in Glasgow, where two of the youngsters are pupils, have been informed about the cases by letter.

But other pupils at the school will not be screened as the two children are not thought to be infectious.

The health board said that letters giving information, advice and reassurance have been given to the parents of the children in the classes involved in keeping with national guidelines.

The three children are undergoing tests to confirm whether they have TB, and are receiving treatment at home.

Dr Gillian Penrice, consultant in public health medicine for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "This is not an outbreak but three cases within the one family unit and the children are all responding well to treatment.

"As the children are not infectious, there is no need for us to screen anyone from the school.

"As well as letters to parents, one of our TB nurse specialists will also be available to offer further information and advice for anyone with additional concerns."

There are around 200 cases of TB in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area every year and some 400 cases nationally across Scotland.

TB is an infection caused by a germ, which usually affects the lungs but can also develop in other parts of the body, such as the kidney or glands.

It can be caught following prolonged contact with someone who is coughing up TB germs.

Symptoms include a prolonged cough, weight loss, high temperature, coughing up blood or dirty spit, chest tightness or pain and loss of appetite.

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Posted by: Anne on 3:37pm Wed 20 Feb 08
Last month it was a teacher in Glasgow who contracted TB.
Posted by: sam, greenock on 5:58pm Wed 20 Feb 08
But now he wants to be European President, he'll not have anything to do with teachers
Posted by: Carronade, Falkirk on 7:15pm Wed 20 Feb 08
A very apt comment, Sam, although it did take me a moment or two to work it out though.
Posted by: tris, scotland on 8:52pm Wed 20 Feb 08


Good one Sam. Although the momentum that is building against him for that job suggests he will have to be content with the two he's got at the moment... oh and the after dinner speeches. I wonder if he's a non-dom.

On the original theme of the thread, it is sad to have an oil rich country with a disease largely associated with poverty, starting to make inroads.
Posted by: David B, Larkhall on 10:11pm Wed 20 Feb 08
is sad to have an oil rich country with a disease largely associated with poverty, starting to make inroadsuote


The article does not tell us where the TB was picked up. I suspect that when the full story is out the family will be from a recently arrived ethnic group, and will have brought the disease with them or picked it up recently on a visit to the old country. If we import a disease its no reflection on us, however rich we think we are.

Posted by: tris, scotland on 11:40pm Wed 20 Feb 08
David B wrote:
is sad to have an oil rich country with a disease largely associated with poverty, starting to make inroadsuote
The article does not tell us where the TB was picked up. I suspect that when the full story is out the family will be from a recently arrived ethnic group, and will have brought the disease with them or picked it up recently on a visit to the old country. If we import a disease its no reflection on us, however rich we think we are.

Well, we can make a judgement on that if and when we find out its origin.

And aren't we all from ethnic groups?
Posted by: Anne on 12:15am Thu 21 Feb 08
Infectious period is 2-4 weeks after starting therapy (medication); which means the children were diagnosed with TB already in January.
The third child must be a toddler or still an infant if it is not attending school yet.
The good news is they are not hospitalised.
Goodnight everyone, goodnight children. ;-)
Posted by: Sam, Glasgow on 5:33am Thu 21 Feb 08
I wonder how long before Rickets reappears, ahhh the good old days
Posted by: Anne on 12:23pm Thu 21 Feb 08
I wonder how long before Rickets reappears, ahhh the good old days
Eh, what's it again??
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