Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Diagnosis
A few cases of whooping cough (pertussis) have been reported in our school district. As of, June 19th, there are six students attending two of our schools, Cascade View Elementary and Chief Kanim Middle School, who have been diagnosed and are currently being treated with antibiotics. After treatment, those affected may still have symptoms, but will no longer be contagious. The school district is currently taking direction from the Public Health department.
The following information is provided to help families be aware of the disease and to encourage anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention and keep their school nurse informed.
Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection that usually causes a severe persistent cough that follows cold-like symptoms. The cough occurs in episodes which may end with vomiting or gagging, and sometimes a high pitched whoop is heard when the person tries to catch his/her breath after coughing. Between the bursts of coughing, people may appear well. There is usually little or no fever associated with this illness.
Pertussis is spread by contact with respiratory secretions or by handling articles contaminated by those secretions. People who have pertussis are contagious to others from the time the cold-like symptoms begin until three weeks after the beginning of the coughing spells -- or, until the first five days of antibiotic therapy have been completed. The incubation period for this disease is 1 to 3 weeks after exposure.
Both adults and children may catch pertussis, even if they have had all or some of their immunizations (DTP's) against this disease, but the symptoms may not be typical. In adolescents and adults the symptoms may be only a persistent cough, often described as being worse at night. However, infants can become so ill with pertussis that they often require hospitalization. Therefore, it is important that you make sure that all children in your home under the age of 7 years are up to date for DTP immunization. This illness is usually treated with an antibiotic.
Persons at greatest risk for pertussis include:
- Infants less than one year old are considered at high risk for complications of pertussis, including hospitalization, pneumonia, convulsions, and rarely, brain damage or death.
- Unimmunized or partly immunized children are also at higher risk for pertussis infection and severe disease.
- Pregnant women with pertussis near the time of delivery may spread it to their newborns.
- Persons who have close contact with pregnant women, infants, or health care workers can spread pertussis to these high risk individuals.
- Health care workers with pertussis who have face-to-face patient contact can spread pertussis to their patients and other health care staff.
If you or your child develop the symptoms for pertussis, please report this to your health care provider immediately. Pertussis bacteria can sometimes be detected by a pertussis culture taken from the nose/throat area by your physician.
For additional information, please refer to the King County Department of Health or call them at (206) 296-4774. Or contact one of our school district health services staff at (425) 831-8000.
Pertussis Fact Sheet from the health department
