Pertussis Contact The HHS school nurse just sent out the following email detailing the pertussis contact in the high school and what to do if your child is coughing. Also to note: adults need boosters for this, as our immunity has run out and there is obviously not enough herd immunity anymore. Please see attachment (linked above) but here is the text: DATE: October 27, 2014 Dear Parent/Guardian: It has come to our attention that your child may have been exposed to a person who has pertussis (whooping cough). Pertussis is a highly contagious disease that is spread through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs.  Pertussis begins with cold symptoms and a cough which becomes much worse over 1-2 weeks.  Symptoms usually include a long series of coughs (“coughing fits”) followed by a whooping noise.  However, older children, adults and very young infants may not develop the whoop.  People with pertussis may have a series of coughs followed by vomiting, turning blue, or difficulty catching their breath.  The cough is often worse at night and cough medicines usually do not help alleviate the cough.  The disease can be very severe and, although deaths are rare, they do occur especially in infants less than one year of age. The Pennsylvania Department of Health strongly recommends the following: If you/your child is coughing, promptly contact your/your child’s doctor.  Explain to the doctor you/your child has been exposed to a case of pertussis and needs to be evaluated.  Your child’s doctor may obtain a nasopharyngeal culture to test for pertussis.  In addition, if the doctor suspects pertussis, an antibiotic will be given to your child to help lower the chance of spreading the disease to others.  Your child will be able to return to school after completing the first 5 days of the medication.  It is very important that upon returning to school your child continues taking his or her medication until completed. If you/your child … [Read more...]