As reported in this week’s edition, one of the items addressed at the most recent Whitley County Board of Health meeting was a confirmed case of pertussis (whooping cough) in a student at Whitley County Middle School. Public Health Director Marcy Rein is now reporting an additional two cases of whooping cough in the county, one being in an infant and the other in a student at Corbin Primary School.
“All are pediatric cases,” Rein said. “We have not been able to confirm whether any of the cases were up-to-date on vaccination.”
The main messages that Rein and the Whitley County Health Department are trying to convey to the community right now are:
- Pertussis is very contagious for 21 days. Coughing can last for months.
- Early symptoms may be a runny or stuffy nose and mild cough. Adults may not get more severe than this unless they have another respiratory condition or a low immune system. Later stages can include severe coughing. This is where you can hear the “whoop” when they take a breath. It can be so severe it causes people to throw up. Babies can stop breathing or become blue or gray.
- If people believe they have been in contact with someone with pertussis and they have a cough, they should see a healthcare provider for testing as soon as possible.
- Pertussis is treated with antibiotics. If someone tests positive for pertussis, everyone who lives with or spends a lot of time with that person should be treated with antibiotics.
- The best way to prevent pertussis is vaccination. Pregnant people should get a Tdap in their 3rd trimester. Adults should get a Tdap every 10 years. Children should complete the recommended series of 5 initial Dtap doses plus a booster at 6th grade. People can check their vaccine status or their child’s at kyirpublicportal.ky.gov. Tdap can be given at the Health Department.
