The Perry County Health Department will continue to have free tuberculosis screening but is no longer paying citizens to be tested.

The screenings will be offered on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. by appointment only.

“Although the phase of TB testing in Perry in which financial incentives were offered has ended, the Alabama Department of Public Health will continue to provide free TB testing in Perry County,” said Ricky Elliott, acting area administrator with ADPH.

Since Jan. 11, the health department paid anyone who came in for a test $20. During that time, 100 of 1,813 screened tested positive for latent TB infection.

One additional case of TB disease was identified during that time, bringing the total number of people to be sick from TB to 27 since late 2014.

“There is a very important difference between latent TB infection and TB disease,” said Pam Barrett with ADPH’s Division of TB Control.

Patients with latent TB infection cannot spread the germ to other people. They do have a positive TB skin test or a positive blood test for TB. They developed a positive test from being in close contact with a person who had TB disease.

Without treatment, about 5 to 10 percent of persons with latent TB infection will develop TB disease at some time in their lives.

Children, senior citizens, those with weakened immune systems or conditions like lung disease and diabetes and those who use drugs or alcohol are at highest risk of developing TB disease.

People with TB disease are considered infectious and may spread TB germs to others if not treated.

Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Karen Landers said the health department continues to have support for the community.

“During this initiative we have had good support from the citizens as well as community leaders who have been involved in meetings to educate and inform about TB,” Landers said. “If Perry County residents were not screened in January, we hope they will come in for these clinics.”

Symptoms of TB include cough lasting more than two weeks, shortness of breath, fever, night sweats, weight loss and fatigue. A person may be infected with the TB germ and have no symptoms. Fortunately, patients can be treated preventively before becoming ill.

The Perry County Health Department is located at 1748 S. Washington St., Marion. All services are confidential and are provided at no charge.

Anyone who would like to be tested should contact the Perry County Health Department at (334) 653-6153.