Students, teachers get tested for tuberculosis

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Students and teachers at Pearl Haskew Elementary began the process of testing for tuberculosis. It was mandatory for all third graders and teachers because a teacher found out she had active tuberculosis.

There were smiles at Haskew Elementary even though the day was anything but normal.

"They sit you down. Rub some kind of something on your arm, and they barely poke you," said student Gabriel Spratt.

That's the description of what many students and teachers had to do as tuberculosis testing began. It was mandatory for all third grader students and teachers, and optional for the rest of the school. 

"We were all talking about it. The people who didn't have to get a shot were probably like, ‘I'm lucky,’" said fifth grade student Bethany Battiste.

A third grade teacher found out she had active tuberculosis, but she didn't have any obvious symptoms. Wanda Hannon, Mobile County Public School supervisor of Health and Services, oversaw the tests.

"It's not very common at all. This is the second time in 10 years we've had to do this but with our population being so mobile and people traveling to other countries, we do see it but it's not common," Hannon said.

Hannon said those who were tested will find out the results Friday, January 25.

"We've talked to teachers, parents, students, trying to teach them this is one thing they can do to stay healthy," Hannon said.

The students seem to be in good spirits.

"Getting the sucker," Spratt said.

Although those who took the test will find out the results Friday, those results won't be made public until at least next week.