Sarcoidosis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

North Carolina High School Sees Case Of Tuberculosis: Here's Where, What To Know

A month after a Western North Carolina individual was diagnosed with tuberculosis, news outlets are reporting on another case in Wake County.

ABC reported Sept. 8 that a case of TB was present in Wake County's Leesville High School in the last week. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is working to identify and inform any individuals who may have come in close contact with the infected person.

Here's what else to know about tuberculosis, its presence in North Carolina and more.

Is there a tuberculosis outbreak in NC?

While there have been over 100 cases of TB so far in 2025, the NCDHHS has not reported an outbreak of the disease.

In 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported a total of 250 cases of tuberculosis throughout the state of NC, a 15% increase from 2023's 215 cases and the highest count reported since 2010. NC's rate of tuberculosis cases in 2024 was 2.3 cases per 100,000 residents.

Which U.S. State has the highest rate of tuberculosis?

In 2024, California had the highest number of tuberculosis cases, 2,100 in total. However, Alaska had the highest overall rate of TB cases, with 94 cases among its roughly 740,000 residents. The CDC places the TB rate at 12.7 in Alaska, compared to California's rate of 5.3.

What is tuberculosis?

Mayo Clinic explains that tuberculosis or "TB" is a serious illness caused by bacteria that mainly affects the lungs. The illness can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, expelling tiny droplets carrying the germs into the air where they can be breathed in by others.

There are three stages of a TB infection, each of which can cause different symptoms.

Primary TB infection is the first stage, during which immune system cells find and capture the germs. The immune system can completely destroy the germs, but in some cases, captured germs may still survive and multiply. Most people don't have symptoms during this phase, but some people may see flu-like symptoms such as low fever, tiredness and coughing.

Latent TB infection usually follows primary infection. During latent infection, immune system cells build a wall around lung tissue with TB germs. There are no symptoms during latent TB infection.

Active TB disease occurs when the immune system fails to control an infection, allowing germs to cause disease throughout lungs or other parts of the body. Active TB can happen right after primary infection, but usually happens after months or even years of latent TB infection.

What are the symptoms of tuberculosis?

Symptoms of active TB disease in the lungs usually begin gradually and worsen over a few weeks. They can include:

Coughing up blood or mucus

Pain with breathing or coughing

Not feeling well in general

If active TB infection occurs outside of the lungs, further symptoms can develop, varying based on the location of the infection. Common sites include the kidneys, liver, fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, heart muscles, genitals, lymph nodes, bones and joints, skin, walls of blood vessels and voice box.

Some possible symptoms listed by Mayo Clinic include:

Not feeling well in general

Pain near the site of infection

Symptoms of severe tuberculosis listed by the Mayo Clinic include:

A dose of dose of BCG vaccine used to prevent TB.

Is tuberculosis fatal? Life-threatening?

Tuberculosis is an illness with a deadly history.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control states that in 1882, TB killed one in seven people in the U.S. And Europe. While still a serious illness, TB is now far from the death sentence that it historically represented due to the discovery of antibiotics, general improvements to public health and other factors.

Mayo Clinic does add, however, that some forms of TB bacteria have become drug resistant, meaning that medicines that once cured the disease no longer work. Most recent NC data showed that in 2023, 10 total cases of drug-resistant TB were recorded in the state.

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.Com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Is there a tuberculosis outbreak in NC? What people should know

Early Signs Of Tuberculosis; Detection And Treatment: Doctor Explains

Tuberculosis or TB, the contagious bacterial disease that has been part of human history from ancient times, was a leading cause of death in the past. While the disease-related death rate is declining, around 82 lakh people in Kerala are still at high risk for the disease, according to our health department. Tuberculosis can affect anyone. The germs of this disease spread through the air and mainly affect the lungs. However, TB may also affect any organ except the nails and hair. Dr Harry Jacob George, Junior Consultant, District TB Centre, Alappuzha, explains the symptoms and risk factors of the disease.

If these symptoms appear, a medical examination should be done. There are several methods to identify the disease. The treatment period is six months. Free treatment is available in all government hospitals and selected private hospitals.

Note: It is essential to examine whether family members living with the patient have also contracted the infection. Preventive medicines should be used following the doctor's advice.

Tuberculosis Case Amid Rise In Respiratory Illnesses In Coachella Valley

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - A tuberculosis case reported at Indio High School last week is drawing attention from health officials, who are also warning of a seasonal increase in respiratory illnesses across the Coachella Valley. Officials confirmed that a student at Indio High tested positive for tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs.

Dr. Euthym Kontaxis, a medical director at Eisenhower Health, says TB is not common, but cases do appear occasionally in the valley.

"It's not as contagious as the common cold. Usually it's in tight quarters... It's not a hugely common infection. We see occasional patients with tuberculosis, and it can range from just a mild respiratory infection to someone very sick."

Dr. Euthym Kontaxis, Eisenhower Health Medical Director

According to public health data, Riverside County reported 98 cases of TB in 2024, up from 63 in 2023. Health officials say the increase could be tied to more international travel and fewer people getting tested.

While TB remains relatively rare, doctors are also monitoring a rise in more common respiratory illnesses, including the cold, flu, and milder strains of COVID-19.

In response, health officials are urging the public to stay home when sick, wear a mask in crowded indoor settings, and get tested early if symptoms develop.

"It is important to test when you have an upper respiratory infection or you lose your taste buds — mainly because there are medications we can give to patients who are at risk that can shorten the disease."

Dr. Euthym Kontaxis, Eisenhower Health Medical Director

With flu season approaching, local health departments are also encouraging residents to get vaccinated to stay protected.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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