Health officials in Manchester, NH have announced additional testing clinics for tuberculosis after an adult was diagnosed with the illness following visits to two locations in January. The individual had been to the Families in Transition shelter and the 1269 Cafe while infectious, prompting concerns of potential exposure. Free testing clinics will be held next week at the 1269 Cafe, with over 100 people seeking testing at previous clinics in mid-March resulting in five diagnoses of latent tuberculosis infection. While latent TB infection does not immediately spread or cause symptoms, it can lead to illness later in life, making testing crucial for prevention. TB is an infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs and can spread through coughing, sneezing, or singing in crowded areas. Symptoms include weight loss, night sweats, fever, and a persistent cough. Health officials advise anyone experiencing these symptoms to seek testing and treatment. On average, 12 people are diagnosed with TB each year in New Hampshire, with each case investigated by health officials to identify and connect potentially exposed individuals with appropriate care. Testing at clinics involves giving a blood sample, and individuals can also contact their primary healthcare provider for testing.
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