In Michigan, a health worker could infect more than 600 people with tuberculosis

In three counties in Michigan, people could have been exposed to tuberculosis, a potentially fatal bacterial disease, from a health worker.

Фото: Depositphotos

It is estimated that the worker contacted more than 600 people, working in three medical institutions — two hospitals and in a hospital for chronic patients — in Auckland, Livingston and Ushtenau counties from 1 in May 2017 of the year to 31 in January of 2018, according to Michigan information Department of Health and Social Services.

According to officials, the employee was only recently diagnosed. The person is on treatment and does not work.

The St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital and Livingstone Hospital provides assistance to injured patients and staff by taking blood samples for analysis and providing medical care.

In Auckland County, South Lyon Senior Care and Rehab conducted an analysis of all current staff and patients. Former employees and patients who are notified of a possible infection can contact their doctors or county health department for analysis.

Tuberculosis is treatable, but is considered a dangerous bacterial disease that spreads through the air. Bacteria usually multiply in the lungs, but other organs can also be chosen.

There are two forms of tuberculosis: open and closed. The open form of this disease is the most dangerous of all. Usually, in case of tuberculosis, the lung tissue is affected, but in some cases the process may spread further - to nearby organs. There is also a form of the disease where an infected person does not release microbes into the environment and is not a source of infection. This form of the disease is called closed.

Symptoms of tuberculosis include:

• A cough that lasts three weeks or longer
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from the depths of the lungs)
• Weakness or tiredness
• Weight loss
• Lack of appetite
• Chills
• Fever
• Sweating at night

In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 9 272 new cases of tuberculosis in the US, 133 of which were from Michigan.

Treatment for tuberculosis includes an 6-month antibiotic regimen.

Officials do not know how long the worker was infected before he was diagnosed. The person's name has not been released due to privacy laws.

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