St. Barnabas Hospital Worker Diagnosed with Tuberculosis
Most recently, the Department of Health and St. Barnabas Hospital in Bronx, New York announced a nurse working at the hospital was diagnosed with tuberculosis. The nurse worked in the postpartum, well-baby nursery, neonatal intensive care and psychiatric units, and has potentially exposed 700 people, including 238 babies, to Tuberculosis (TB).
Tuberculosis is contagious. While the strain of the St. Barnabas TB exposure is drug-treatable, it can be fatal if untreated. Babies can also be more susceptible to the infectious bacterium. Have you or your child been infected with Tuberculosis due to the Hospital negligence at St. Barnabas? A New York City attorney at Finz & Finz, P.C. can help inform you of your legal rights to recover compensation for your injuries. Contact a Malpractice Attorney New York City today!
What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB most commonly affects the lungs but the bacterial infection can affect almost any part of the body such as the kidney, spine and brain.
How Does Tuberculosis (TB) Affect the Body?
While signs of TB infection may not develop initially, the following are common symptoms that may develop:
- a persistent cough, usually for more than three weeks
- night sweats for weeks or months
- pain in the chest
- coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)
- chills
- weight loss
- fatigue
- high temperature
- shortness of breath
Tuberculosis (TB) is spread through the air from one person to another when a person infected with active TB coughs or sneezes. People nearby who breathe in the bacterium can become infected. Contact a malpractice attorney in New York City to learn about your legal rights when suffering from malpractice induced injuries such as Tuberculosis.
Who is at risk of being infected by Tuberculosis (TB)?
Anyone can get TB. However, people who have weak immune symptoms are at greater risk of developing TB especially in large cities such as New York City. Some people who may be more susceptible to the tuberculosis bacterium may include:
- children and older people
- smokers
- those living in overcrowded conditions
- those who have a poor diet
- people with HIV
- the homeless
- those who have a weakened immune system because of other medical conditions, such as diabetes, or because of other medical therapy, such as immuno-suppressant medication
Legal Malpractice Help for Victims of St. Barnabas Hospital Tuberculosis
If you, a family member, or a friend have been infected by Tuberculosis due to the negligence and malpractice of St. Barnabas Hospital, please contact the Malpractice Attorney New York City of Finz & Finz, P.C. at (888) FINZ-FIRM today to speak to an experienced attorney or fill out the Free Medical Malpractice Case Evaluation form on the right.
