There is no need to treat someone for exposure to TB. If the x-rays show latent infection, then they will need a lengthy course of treatment.
Next question is do we keep them here and provide treatment so they will not infect others, or do we deport them, and run the risk that they will come back, have active TB, and fail to get treatment for fear of getting deported again? Active TB is very contagious.
Easy answer, the American tax payer is not the world free medical provider.
You deport them!
latent = dormant/not active. Would that show up on X-ray?
Also, a positive PPD, (unless it’s a false positive, which of course is possible) indicates not only exposure, but that said exposure has led to (most likely latent) infection with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. That’s what I was trying to express—I was discussing those who have been exposed and tested positive.
The latter question is much more apropos. Do we deport them? Do we imprison them? Do we treat them?
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the case of Typhoid Mary, who was ordered to live out the rest of her life on an island in solitude when she refused to take measures to avoid infecting others. I can’t imagine that we’d ever do such a thing in our society today. So how DO we cope with the fact that some people are simply going to continue going wherever they wish to, whenever they feel like it, without regard for whether or not they are taking tuberculosis with them?