A Washington state woman who was arrested after she refused for more than a year to consistently isolate or take medication for tuberculosis has finally been cured of the disease. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said Monday that the woman had tested negative for tuberculosis multiple times and had given officials permission to share an update on her health. “Because this situation led to a lot of media coverage and discussion in the community, the patient and her family wanted to share the ending of the story,” the Health Department said in a statement .
Indeed, the case drew national attention as authorities pursued months of legal action to prevent the woman from potentially infecting others. Authorities even enlisted her family to persuade her to accept treatment. “She gained back weight she’d lost and is healthy again,” the Health Department said in its statement , adding that the woman and her family are “happy she got the help she needed.
” Tuberculosis, which is caused by bacteria that attack the lungs or other parts of the body, can spread through the air when a person with an active case coughs, sneezes or speaks. Up to 13 million people in the U.S.
have latent infections, meaning they aren’t contagious and don’t have symptoms. But around 5% to 10% of latent cases develop into active disease if they’re left untreated. Treatment for tuberculosis usually consists of antibiotics taken daily or weekly for a period of months.
During that time.