Liberty High School Principal Patrick Walsh alerted parents on Monday that a student who attends the school has contracted pertussis–also known as whooping cough.
Walsh said the student confirmed to have pertussis is being treated with antibiotics and will return to school when no longer contagious.
Dear Liberty Lion Parent:
Today I received notification that a student who attends Liberty High School contracted pertussis. This student is in one of your child’s classes. Pertussis, a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough, is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria. Pertussis is only found in humans and is spread from person to person. People with pertussis usually spread the disease by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others, who then breathe in the pertussis bacteria. Even though most families vaccinate their children against pertussis, no vaccine is 100% effective. It is possible for a vaccinated person to catch pertussis. Pertussis is generally treated with antibiotics and early treatment is very important.
Symptomatically, pertussis starts out like the common cold. Those who are infected develop a low fever, runny nose, sneezing, mild cough which increases in severity. As the cough continues it worsens and is described as fits of coughing. Persons may gag and vomit at the end of these fits. These coughing fits occur mostly at night. The characteristic whoop may or may not be heard.
Amy McClellan, our district nurse, will communicate with the officials from the Contra Costa County Health Department. In addition, we have been in communication with the family of the infected student. The student confirmed to have pertussis is being treated with antibiotics and will return to school when no longer contagious. At the same time, we are notifying you of your child’s potential exposure to pertussis.
If your child exhibits any of the symptoms listed above, please contact your health care provider immediately. I have attached fact sheet on pertussis provided by Contra Costa Health Services. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact Amy McClellan, our district nurse, at (925) 963-1902. If you need my help, I can be reached at (925) 634-3521, x5201.
With Lion Pride,
Patrick M. Walsh
Principal
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Fact Sheet
What is Pertussis?
Pertussis is an infection of the lungs. It is caused by bacteria named Bordetella pertussis.
What are symptoms of pertussis?
Illness starts out like the common cold. Low fever, runny nose, sneezing, mild cough which increases in severity. As the cough continues it worsens and is described as fits of coughing. Persons may gag and vomit at the end of these fits. These coughing fits occur mostly at night. The characteristic whoop may or may not be heard.
If I have been around someone with whooping cough will I get sick?
It depends on the type of contact you had with the sick person. Pertussis is spread to others by contact with mucus from the nose and throat of an infected person. For example, coughing and sneezing would cause droplets of mucus to be sprayed into the air. Persons are the most infectious when they are having the “cold-like” symptoms and up to 3 weeks after the onset of severe coughing. The vaccine for Pertussis usually protects but sometimes even immunized children can get pertussis. Adolescents are not considered protected since the vaccine they received as babies and toddlers offers only some protection. Teens and adults can and do get whooping cough.
How soon after being around someone with pertussis would I become ill?
The time between your exposure and the time you become ill is called the incubation period. The incubation period for pertussis is commonly 7-10 days. It can be longer up to 21 days.
How long will I be sick?
This depends on several factors; age, general state of health prior to infection, and any complications that may occur from illness. Symptoms, especially coughing, usually last for 1-2 months but this could be longer.
What are the complications?
In children less than 1 year of age pertussis is a very serious illness.
Infants who are born prematurely or who have lung disease are most
at risk. Pneumonia, seizures, brain problems even death can occur.
How is pertussis treated?
Persons with pertussis need to take antibiotics. Some children may require hospitalization. If you are a close contact to the person with pertussis you will need to take an antibiotic and may need vaccine.
Is pertussis preventable?
Yes, disease in children is usually prevented with complete immunization. The vaccine used to prevent pertussis is given as one shot it also protects against tetanus and diphtheria (DTaP) The recommended schedule for pertussis vaccine is at 2,4,6, and 15 to 18 months and another booster dose at 4-6 years old.
What about a vaccine for pre-teens, teens and adults?
Yes, there is a vaccine for persons 7 years and older called Tdap. The recommendation for this vaccine is for pre-teens to get 1 dose when they are 11-12 years old and for adults to get a booster dose as well. It is especially important that anyone who is around children under 1 year of age get this vaccine, for example parents of newborns, grandparents, siblings and health care workers. Pregnant women should get a Tdap during each pregnancy. Tdap can be given during any trimester but getting it in the third trimester provides the best pertussis protection for the baby.
More information is available by calling Contra Costa Health Services Health Emergency Information Line at 1-888-959-9911.
