Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County found no active cases of tuberculosis among customers of Galaxy Nail Spa in Miami Twp., who potentially were exposed to the bacteria by a salon technician who tested positive for the disease.
The nail technician tested positive for an active form of the bacterial infection in July.
Public health officials first tested 226 customers for the active form of the bacteria in August, and they were re-tested recently at follow-up clinics in Miami Twp.
The follow-up tests were necessary because it can take between two and 10 weeks for people infected with the bacteria to develop a response to the skin test.
Health officials found no active cases of the disease, but two people tested positive for the infection.
"All that means is that they have been exposed at some point in their life to TB, so the body has reacted to the TB test," said Bill Wharton, spokesman for Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County. "The fact that they are infected does not mean they are an active case of TB --an active case of TB would be someone who can spread TB to someone else."
As many as one in 10 Americans have the bacteria in their bodies, but it does not produce any symptoms and is not contagious when inactive.
The active form can be very unpleasant and can lead to coughing, unintentional weight loss, fatigue and cold sweats.
Anyone who was a customer of the Galaxy Nail Spa and made multiple visits between March 1 and Aug. 15 can still receive free testing. They can visit the tuberculosis clinic at the Reibold Building, Fifth Floor, 117 South Main St. in Dayton.
People with other questions about testing information can call 937-225-4550.
There are no active tuberculosis cases associated with the Galaxy Nail Spa. Health officials said customers should not hesitate to revisit and patronize the business.