Student Diagnosed With Tuberculosis In Denver

DENVER (CBS4) - A student at the University of Denver has been diagnosed with tuberculosis.

The student, who is not being identified, is being treated at a private location away from campus.

The DU Health and Counseling Center is working with the state's public health department to see if other students are at risk.

"Our plan is to follow the instructions of Denver Public Health and cooperate in the investigation," said DU Director of Health Dr. Sam Alexander.

People the university believes may be at risk for TB, who were exposed to the student before and after the diagnosis, are being contacted. The university does not know if the student contracted the infection on or off campus.

Emails were sent out to students and parents, raising concerns.

"I was just in the hospital with her, so yeah, it's scary. You have to be careful of everything that goes around," said parent Sue Connors.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that can be passed through coughs or sneezes.

"You have to be in close contact for a period of time with a person with active TB to get the disease. It's not spread by touching things that person has touched," said Alexander.

"My parents emailed me right away and asked if I knew the person, if I had any connection with the case. Luckily, I don't," said student Alex Johnson.

It can take as long as two months to know for sure if someone was exposed to TB because of the testing process.

Denver Public Health officials said anyone who thinks they might have been infected or have questions should contact them at (303) 602-3700.

LINK: du.edu/duhealth

CBS4 Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida said TB is treatable.

"Tuberculosis is not that common in the United States compared to the rest of the world. If you get sick with Tuberculosis and you go untreated, it can be a fatal disorder, but that is very rare here in the United States because it is usually rapidly diagnosed and rapidly treated with antibiotics," said Hnida.