Peel away the layers of sensationalism and lets look at some facts about TB and how it is spread.
While the U.S government, the CDC and WHO continue to discuss the ramifications, issues, faults and possible ways to prevent a recurrence, what are the dangers to passengers who flew with the recently publicized TB patient , Andrew Speaker.
Tuberculosis is an airborne disease meaning it is spread from one person to another through the air. This is accomplished by releasing germs into the air through coughing, speaking, spitting, sneezing or singing. The recipient breathes in these germs.
TB cannot be spread by shaking hands, sharing food or drink or by touching surfaces such as toilets, sinks, bed linens, or other surfaces. Even kissing or sharing a toothbrush or cigarettes with someone who has TB will not spread the disease.
TB is caused by a rod-shaped bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis. For a person to become infected with TB, there has to be prolonged exposure in a closed environment to the infected person. On an airplane, according to WHO and the CDC, that exposure would presumably have to be a long flight of eight hours or more. The bacterium can cause tow forms of disease a latent form or an active form. Those with impaired immunity such as those with a positive HIV status are most at risk for becoming infected.
Symptoms of TB include a feeling of generalized weakness or sickness, fever, night sweats, a cough, chest pain, coughing up blood and unexplained weight loss. Mr. Speaker claims he had no symptoms and that the TB was discovered on a routine chest X-ray several months ago. Without a cough, the risk of spreading the germs is somewhat diminished despite the fact that his specific TB is a extremely drug resistant (XDR) form.
Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to TB at any time should contact their health care practitioner or local health department to be tested. Details of the exposure should be presented to the health official.
For more information about TB see the CDC website
