Tuberculosis, also called TB, has been reported in Long Island, New York. Teachers and students at Sachem East High School may have been exposed to the deadly disease. More than 100 students and staff members have already been tested for TB.

A student infected with tuberculosis attended the school located in Suffolk County, Long Island, earlier this month. A broader outbreak of this disease could spark panic because of its severity.

TB is a serious illness that mainly affects the lungs. It is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.  According to information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, TB can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. TB can also affect multiple parts of the body at the same time. For example, TB can affect both the lungs and lymph nodes.

According to a report by Yahoo News, a letter was sent to the parents of students who may have been exposed to an individual who currently has tuberculosis, FOX 5 NY‘s Jodi Goldberg reports. The letter was also sent to staff members.

The letter was sent to over 120 students and staff on May 15th.

The symptoms of TB can be quite severe and include:

• Cough

• Coughing up blood or mucus

• Chest pain

• Pain with breathing

• Fever

• Chills

• Night sweats

• Weight loss

• Loss of appetite

• Fatigue