Health officials in Denver are investigating a recent tuberculosis case at Denver Health medical center, urging hospital workers who could have been exposed to undergo testing.
Denver Public Health officials became aware of possible TB exposure at Denver Health in late July, according to a Denver Public Health media release. The patient with TB, who may have been contagious starting in May, was put into respiratory isolation with the July diagnosis.
“At this time, only staff who cared for the patient sick with TB are believed to have been potentially exposed, and those affected have been contacted,” the health department said. “Any staff member at Denver Health who feels they may have been exposed may also contact (the) Center for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) to be tested.”
TB is a disease caused by germs that are spread between people through the air, the release said. It usually affects the lungs but may affect other parts of the body.
Health officials said there is “no ongoing risk of TB exposure at the hospital known at this time.”
Most people who are exposed to TB do not get infected, the release said. People infected can’t give TB to others unless they’re sick with symptoms such as a cough, fever or night sweats. A person infected but not sick can receive treatment to prevent symptoms and possibly spreading TB to others.
