The City of Laredo Health Department Reminder
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Mar 24, 2010, 0 Comments
Laredo, TX – The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) would like to remind the public that March 24, 2010 is recognized as World tuberculosis (TB) Day. World TB Day is designed to build public awareness that tuberculosis today remains an epidemic in much of the world, causing the deaths of several million people each year, mostly in the third world. One-third of the world’s population is currently infected with TB. Since TB is an international infection the CLHD is joining Mexico in commemorating World TB Day.
Although not a public health threat as in the past, Tuberculosis is still be diagnosed within our community. In 2008 over 40 cases of TB were diagnosed within Webb County. The CLHD would like to remind the public that the health department TB services continue to offer testing.
What is TB?
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that usually attacks the lungs, but can attack almost any part of the body. It is spread from person to person through the air. When people with TB in their lungs or throat cough, laugh, sneeze, sing, or even talk, the germs that cause TB may be spread into the air. If another person breathes in these germs there is a chance that they will become infected with tuberculosis. Repeated contact is usually required for infection.
TB is most commonly spread through close contact. It is high amongst those who are socially compromised (i.e. homeless and prisoners) and those that have compromised health (i.e. AIDS/HIV). TB can be diagnosed and treated fairly quickly. Visit or call the CLHD TB clinic for more information.
March 24th commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch astounded the scientific community by announcing that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus. At the time of Koch’s announcement in Berlin, TB was raging through Europe and the Americas, causing the death of one out of every seven people. Koch’s discovery opened the way toward diagnosing and curing TB.
TB Testing takes place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost for testing is $10 for adults and $4 for children from public schools (TB questionnaire must be presented). Children from private schools do not need a TB questionnaire and cost is $10. Currently, the CLHD TB clinic is located at 2002 Guadalupe. For more information regarding testing please call 956-723-0483.
