
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 8, 1995                   TAG: 9506080086
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA                                LENGTH: Short

STUDENTS SHOW TB EXPOSURE

About one in four students tested for exposure for tuberculosis at a Northern Virginia high school turned up positive, Alexandria's health director said Wednesday.

City public health officials tested 157 students and staff members at T.C. Williams High School after a student there contracted TB. Of the 140 test results available Wednesday, 36 were positive, health officials said.

``When we get a rate like that, higher than about 10 percent, it makes us think we need to expand our circle and test more people,'' said Dr. Joshua Lipsman, city Health Department director.

Health officials will test each of the more than 2,000 students and staff members at the school Friday and Monday, he said.

Positive test results mean the person was exposed to the disease, but it is dormant, Lipsman said. ``It is important to remember they are not sick and are not contagious,'' Lipsman said.

All those with positive test results will be examined more fully, then given antibiotics for six to 12 months, Lipsman said.

by CNB