Atlanta Hospital Employee Exposed Hundreds to Tuberculosis

Fit people tend to be healthier than unfit people reducing the need for sick care, including hospitalization.

An infected employee exposed nearly 800 people to tuberculosis at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, the hospital confirmed today.

"At this time, there are 680 patients, and approximately 100 employees who have been identified as having been in contact with the infected individual," Lance Skelly, a spokesman for the hospital, said in a statement. "Each person has been contacted and provided proactive screening instructions. Post-exposure follow-up will also be provided free of charge through the patient's local county health department."

TB, a bacterial infection, can be transmitted through a cough or sneeze. And although it responds well to treatment when caught early, it can cause permanent lung damage, and even death if left untended.

"The vast majority of TB strains are quite susceptible to drugs," said Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. "If a patient is adherent to the treatment program, which can last nine months, they can be cured and quickly rendered safe for interaction with others."

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