A Towson University student suspected of carrying tuberculosis has been quarantined off-campus, Baltimore County health officials said Friday.

The university e-mailed all students an alert Friday morning about the student infected with the airborne disease, which typically affects the lungs and can cause a cough, chest pain, bloody sputum, weakness, weight loss, chills, fever and night sweats.

School officials would not provide the student’s name, year or major.

The school also posted a notice to students and faculty on the university’s Web site, which said the student would not be on campus or attending classes “as testing and appropriate treatments continue.”

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The Baltimore County Health Department plans to contact people who may have come in contact with the infected student so tests can be done.

“It should be emphasized that tuberculosis is very difficult to contract through typical campus life,” according to the online notice.

“It is a respiratory illness that requires prolonged, sustained, close contact with an infected individual. It is important that you be aware of the very low potential for risk or danger to the health of any member of the community.”

The university did not receive any calls from classmates or roommates worried about the possible exposure, said Carol Dunsworth, a school spokeswoman.

She also said she wasn’t aware of any other cases of TB at Towson in the past.

“As with any other communicable disease of concern, the health department is working closely with the patient and the university,” Pierre N.D. Vigilance, the Baltimore County Health Officer, said in a statement.

“We will continue to investigate the situation and take swift and appropriate action as necessary to protect the public’s health.”

kvolkmann@baltimoreexaminer.com