A notice was posted on the East Washington School Corporation Live Feed earlier today noting that the Washington County Health Department is investigating a case of Whooping Cough (Pertusis) at the school.
Pertussis is a contagious respiratory illness and bacteria can cause it to spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing or sharing the same breathing space as a contagious person for a prolonged period of time.
According to the note posted on the website, parents are asked not to send your child to school if they have symptoms of pertussis, which can begin 7 to 10 days (and up to 21 days) following exposure.
- Vaccination The best way to prevent pertussis is to get vaccinated. The CDC recommends the DTaP vaccine for children under 7 and the Tdap vaccine for older children and adults.
- Hygiene Practice good hygiene, including washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing.
- Isolation Patients with pertussis should stay home and avoid social settings until they have completed the first five days of antibiotics or 21 days after the onset of coughing.
- Antibiotics Close contacts of people with pertussis should take antibiotics, regardless of age or vaccination status.
- Masks Wear a surgical mask within 3 feet of a patient with pertussis.
- Respiratory hygiene Teach patients and caregivers to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues and dispose of them properly.
———————
The first symptoms of pertussis are similar to a common cold and may include a a runny or stuffed-up nose, mild cough, and low-grade fever.
After a week or two, the cough becomes more severe and may occur more frequently during sleep. As the cough worsens, it may include rapid, violent and uncontrollable coughing fits, which may cause people to vomit or make a high-pitched “whoop” sound when breathing in after the coughing fit.
Symptoms of pertussis may be milder in adolescents and adults than in young children.
Pertussis is especially serious in babies under 12 months old. Babies with pertussis may not develop a cough and instead may cause them to struggle to breathe, turn blue or purple or have pauses in breathing.
If your child has pertussis, contact your physician.
If your child has these symptoms at school, parents will be called to take them home and have them evaluated by a physician.
If your physician suspects your child has pertussis, testing may be performed. If your physician diagnoses your child with pertussis, the student must remain isolated at home until after taking 5 full days of an appropriate antibiotic or 21 days after cough onset (if untreated).
All household members who have a case of pertussis should also be given antibiotics for prevention.
According to the information posted on East Washington’s website, the best way to prevent pertussis is by staying up-to-date on pertussis vaccinations.
Fully vaccinated persons can still contract pertussi; however, vaccinated persons’ symptoms will usually be mlder than those who are not vaccinated.
It is recommended you check all family members’ vaccination status to ensure they are up-to-date on recommended pertussis vaccinations.
Contact your physician or the Washington County Health Department at 812-883-5603.
