Pertussis Disease Alert

Important Notice to Parents

April 29, 2013

One student attending the Brentwood Middle School has been diagnosed with pertussis, also known as whooping cough.  Pertussis is a contagious illness that is spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs and another individual breathes in the bacteria.  Symptoms of pertussis usually develop 7 to 10 days after exposure but can develop from 4 to 21 days after exposure.

Students closely exposed to these cases should see their physician to receive antibiotics to prevent illness (prophylaxis).

Students and staff with a cough should inform their physician of the possible exposure to pertussis and be examined.  If your physician suspects pertussis you should be tested (PCR is the preferred test) and receive an appropriate antibiotic for pertussis.  Students or staff diagnosed with pertussis cannot return to school until completing five days of an appropriate antibiotic.

Pertussis begins with a cough that progressively becomes more severe until the person develops coughing fits.  In between coughing fits, the individual may look and feel fine.  Vomiting, breathlessness, a change in facial color, and/or a whooping sound may follow the coughing fits.  Pertussis may be very severe in infants and young children (especially those without 3 doses of pertussis vaccine), resulting in hospitalization, seizures, long-term neurological problems, and even death.  Pertussis can occur in immunized individuals, because the immunity gained from vaccination typically wanes by adolescence.  

We also recommend you review immunization records of all your children to ensure they are up-to-date on their DTaP/Tdap shots.   Two new pertussis vaccines (Tdap – two companies) were licensed in the summer of 2005 for use in adolescents and adults and may be available at your health care provider. 

In summary, we recommend the following:

Ø      Contact your health care provider if you have been exposed to a case.

Ø      Contact your health care provider if you have a cough. 

Ø      If diagnosed with pertussis complete a course of an appropriate antibiotic for pertussis.

Ø      Individuals diagnosed with pertussis will be excluded from school/child care until they have completed 5 days of an appropriate antibiotic.

Ø      Review the DTaP/Tdap immunization records of your children and arrange for vaccination if not up to date.

If you have any questions please contact Faton Emami R.N. BSN, Weld County Public Health,  Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Program  970-304-6420, ext. 2311.

Prevent Spreading Pertussis.  Cover Your Cough.