In my mail the other day:

Dear Student,

I am writing to inform you that the District of Columbia Department of
Public Health (DOH) notified Georgetown University last week that they
have begun an investigation related to a suspected case of pulmonary
tuberculosis (TB) in a non-residential graduate student at Georgetown
University. At the request of DOH and based on criteria defined by
public health officials, we have already provided names of individuals
in our community who may have had sufficient contact with the
individual to be at risk for possible exposure or infection. Over the
weekend we notified that group of individuals of our action, alerted
them to the fact that they should expect to hear directly from DOH or
their local health agency in the coming days, and urged them to
cooperate with the recommendations of public health officials.

After consultation with DOH, we waited until today to notify the
greater Georgetown University community about this matter in order to
allow public health officials time to focus on the limited number of
individuals they recommend for medical screening. Other than this
limited group of individuals, public health officials inform us that
there is no need for the majority of the Georgetown community to take
any specific medical precautions at this time. Nonetheless we think
it is important for you to be aware that this event has occurred, and
that we are in regular contact with DOH to coordinate our efforts.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs
and is spread from person to person through the air. This can occur by
sharing air space for an extended period of time in an enclosed
setting. The bacteria are placed in the air when a person with TB of
the lungs coughs or sneezes. You cannot contract TB by touching an
inanimate object. Tuberculosis can be cured if treated properly. For
more information about TB, including symptoms and treatment, please
visit the Centers of Disease Control website at http://cdc.gov/tb/

In an effort to provide an opportunity for members of the Georgetown
community to have questions answered we have arranged to hold an
information session on campus when classes resume on Thursday, January
17 at 6pm in ICC Room 105. In the meantime if you have any specific
concerns please contact the D.C. TB Control Program at (202) 698-4040
during business hours, Monday through Friday 8:15am-4:45 pm. You may
also contact the Student Health Center at (202) 687-2200 during
business hours.

Please know that Georgetown officials will monitor the situation and
continue to work closely with DOH as their investigation continues.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Sincerely,

James C. Welsh, M.D.
Assistant Vice President for Student Health Services

Incidentally, both my fever and horrible case of hacking are making me feel quite tubercular. Gi sip-on pud ko. MAMA!!!! Gi TB kaha ko?

In other (happier) news, I got my grades: two As and an A-. I'm incredibly surprised at my A in History of the Book/Theory of the Text, but I am not complaining.

I'm tired. I'm heading home to sleep the day away.