On Nov. 17 Archbishop Riordan High School announced an active case of Tuberculosis, an illness transmitted when airborne bacteria enters the lungs after prolonged exposure to an infected person’s cough, sneeze, or breath.
The announcement quickly became a topic of conversation on campus, prompting mixed emotions and opinions about the situation. Some have expressed worry and anxiety, while others seem to be taking it in stride.
Bella Miragalia ’26 said, “My feelings about this definitely have me on high alert. It’s scary and something I’ve never had to deal with so hopefully it won’t happen again.”
To address growing worries around the community, Riordan set up an informational Zoom meeting with the San Francisco Department of Public Health, with speaker Susannah Graves, MD, MPH, Director of the Tuberculosis Branch.
Graves hopped on to explain that if someone has been infected, it is possible to be cured with the proper course of medications. She encouraged anyone unsure about possible contamination to get tested, either through a TB skin test, or a blood test.
She explained, “It’s really important to understand your risk. Get a TB test if you are at risk and then get treatment if you test positive to prevent developing active TB.”
Graves also added that the San Francisco TB Clinic, “is going to provide testing and treatment and care linkage for people who have been exposed,” adding how the clinic also “encourages people to think about their own risk…so anyone who needs testing will be able to access that.”
Symptoms of TB usually include prolonged coughs, chest pains, blood in coughs or sputum, and sometimes fatigue, weight loss, fever or chills, and night sweats.
The school is currently working diligently to keep parents informed, with the help of health officials to monitor the situation.
School officials have also sent out emails that explain what to do if a student was in contact with someone who has TB.
“Unless one is immunocompromised, TB isn’t that big of a deal…so long as you have access to treatment,” said science teacher Colleen O’Rourke.
But for now, the community should be focused on staying informed, having good hygiene, and most importantly, being compassionate and empathetic toward anyone affected.
O’Rourke added, “We should be aware of it both in order to keep ourselves healthy, but more importantly to speak out against the injustices which keep people from accessing the drugs they need to cure them.”
TB is not easily transmitted through brief contact, and students and staff are not in danger if they follow the precautions. But, health experts emphasize staying aware, getting tested if needed, and following protocols will ensure the safety of the school.
In an updated email to parents on Dec. 9, the Department of Health stated, “Students and staff who have spent at least eight hours in indoor spaces on campus fall semester 2025 prior to Nov. 10, 2025 must get evaluated for TB by your medical professional . . . during this period: Jan. 20 to Feb. 13, 2026.”
Miraglia said, “I wish whoever is going through this heals quickly and has a safe recovery.”
