WARREN Hospital treats boy for suspected TB

By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- An area hospital is treating an East Middle School pupil for suspected tuberculosis, though health officials have yet to confirm the boy's illness.
Pat Elonen, lead nurse for Warren City Schools, said it has not been confirmed that the boy has tuberculosis, but he is being treated as if he does, because he has displayed some symptoms. She wouldn't say what symptoms.
School officials declined to release the boy's name, age or grade level. They also did not say whether he fell ill while at school.
The boy is being treated at Tod Children's Hospital in Youngstown because officials want to be cautious, Elonen said.
Details for testing: Free tuberculosis tests are being given at Forum Health Hillside Hospital in Howland for pupils who display symptoms or have been in close contact with the boy.
"They know who they are," Elonen said. "We're notifying parents."
For more information, call Elonen at (330) 841-2236, Ext. 265. The tuberculosis clinic at Hillside can be reached by calling (330) 841-3700.
Diane Davis, spokeswoman for city schools, said the boy's family members have tested negative for the condition, but she noted they will likely be tested again in coming weeks.
Elonen said teachers and school personnel have been encouraged to get tested, explaining that a testing clinic was to be set up at the school Monday afternoon.
About the disease: Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection of the lungs caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It can spread to other organs if not properly treated.
It can develop after inhaling droplets sprayed into the air from a cough or sneeze of an infected person. The disease may occur within weeks after infection, or it could lie dormant for years before materializing.
Symptoms include cough, fever, fatigue, weight loss, coughing up blood, night sweats, wheezing, joint pain, diarrhea, chest pain and breathing difficulty.
Elonen said it can be transmitted through the air but dies once it lands.
"A person [with tuberculosis] would pretty much have to cough in another person's face to transmit it," she added.