Published: December 03, 2008 09:04 am      

Possible case of whooping cough at elementary school

BEREA — The Madison County Health Department is investigating a possible case of pertussis (whooping cough) at Shannon Johnson Elementary, according to county schools Superintendent Tommy Floyd.

The school system worked with the Madison County Health Department throughout the day Tuesday to ensure that the students and staff are safe from any health risk, he said.

District School Nurse Coordinator Becky Carr said parents of students considered to be in close contact with the infected child were notified personally on Tuesday and advised of precautions they should take.

A letter to parents explaining the situation was sent home with other students.

“It is most likely that children have been vaccinated against pertussis because it is included in the DTaP vaccine that children are required to have before they begin school,” Carr said. “If a child is up-to-date on shots, the possibility of catching pertussis is low.”

Pertussis is most commonly spread by direct contact with the respiratory droplets of someone who is infected, according to information provided by the health department.

The school system also offered the following information to families and the public:

The early symptoms of pertussis resemble those of a common cold and cough. The cough gets worse over one to two weeks and usually develops into a long series of coughs followed by a whooping noise. However, older children, adults and very young infants may not develop the whoop.

The cough is often worse at night and cough medicines usually do not stop the cough. Pertussis affects people of all ages, but is much more serious in infants under the age of one. Children with symptoms should be kept home from school until they have completed five days of antibiotics.

Floyd said the school system is asking parents to consider the following suggestions from the Madison County Health Department:

• If you think your child’s shots may not be up-to-date, contact your child’s health provider to discuss the child’s immunization status.

• If your child has a cough illness that resembles the symptoms described above, call your doctor for evaluation and testing.

• Keep ill children home from activities in which any illness could be spread to others. Examples include church, family events, Scouts and team sports.

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 267.