Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Posted: December 17, 2009
Two students, siblings of laboratory confirmed cases of Pertussis (whooping cough), attending your child’s school have exhibited symptoms of, but have not been confirmed with, Pertussis. Pertussis is a serious disease. Symptoms include a persistent cough. Usually the cough occurs in explosive bursts ending with the typical high-pitched whoop and, occasionally, vomiting. Between bursts of coughing, the person appears well. Coughing attacks continue for 4 to 6 weeks. Older children or adults may have less severe symptoms. Pertussis is frequently complicated by pneumonia and ear infections, particularly in infants.
Pertussis is spread by contact with droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing. Persons who are in close contact, such as family members or close friends, with a case of Pertussis are more likely to become ill. (Please refer to the attached Pertussis Fact Sheet.)
Children should receive diphtheria, tetanus, Pertussis (DTP) vaccine beginning at two months of age. By the time of school entry, most children receive five doses of DTP vaccine. Protection from the vaccine may decline throughout a person’s life. Older children and adults may be able to develop the disease even if they have been vaccinated. Disease in persons who have been immunized is usually less severe.
Antibiotics may be given to try to prevent this disease in people who have been exposed. Antibiotics are usually only given to family members living in the same household with a case of Pertussis or contacts with other severe medical conditions.
Symptoms usually develop within two weeks of contact with a case of Pertussis. If your child develops a persistent cough, even if they have been immunized, please keep him/her at home and consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Infected persons are contagious from the early coughing stage to three weeks after the beginning of coughing fits in children who do not receive an appropriate antibiotic. Children treated with an appropriate antibiotic are contagious for the first five days on the medication.
For further information, please call Mary Jensen at 737-5969 or Stacie Benkula at 737-5974. Please call the health district or your physician before taking a child in for testing. Special arrangements can be made to prevent spread to others at the time of testing.
By: South Central Public Health District