The St. Thomas hospital has a program which educates and helps people in the community to learn more about this disease. During the year 1993 four cases of tuberculosis was brought the St. Thomas hospital, three survived. Last year 9 cases of tuberculosis was found and six are still alive. Few years ago, the department of health tested students from for Tuberculosis, most students who were infected with the disease were international students from other Caribbean islands.
Tuberculosis is one type disease which can be easily spread by small particles in the air.
It spreads when a person with active TB coughs, speaks or even sings. Purified Protein Derivative or PPD is a skin examination given to anyone who has suspected the virus of TB in their system. After two days the laboratory gives out the results. If the individual is positive then he goes through a chest examination, a study of his history is done, a blood test, or a liver profile and a household form is completed. The health insurance only pays for the chest x-ray and the liver profile.