US - California : KMC patient develops tuberculosis; others urged to get tested

Article from Bakersfield :

" The man who triggered a health alert at Kern Medical Center has an active case of tuberculosis.

Paul Hensler, KMC's chief executive officer, is encouraging other patients who may have been exposed to the man during his visits to the laboratory waiting room and radiology department at the hospital to get a skin test for the bacterial infection.

If the skin test is positive, the patient can be watched for active infection and treated if an active case develops.

The disease, which conjures up images of patients wasting away in 19th century sanatoriums, can be treated effectively with antibiotics, Hensler said."