What you need to know about Pertussis

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is once again present in the King County area. It is a respiratory illness caused by a bacteria. The disease gets its name from severe coughing fits that end in deep intakes of breath that sound like whoops. Children are immunized against pertussis starting at 2 months of age. Young babies or partially immunized infants are the ones most at risk of serious illness from pertussis. Children and adults who get the illness can have an irritating cough that can last for one to two months or more. The illness is treated with specific antibiotics to prevent transmission to others, but the cough can persist even after treatment. The pertussis vaccination is not given to anyone over 7 years of age, and immunity to pertussis wanes over time because the vaccine lasts only about 10 years. For this reason, older children and adults can acquire the illness and pass it on to young babies who can become seriously ill with whooping cough. It is wise to have persons with runny nose and coughs to avoid contact with new babies whenever possible. Children or adults should check with their health care provider if they develop a persistent cough, particularly one associated with coughing fits that result in production of thick mucus, gasping for breath or vomiting. Please notify your child's school if they are diagnosed with pertussis. Typically, after 5 days of a specific antibiotic they are non-contagious and can return to school. Feel free to talk with your child's school nurse if you have further questions.

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