Herrin school see’s positive Whooping Cough case

HERRIN ILL.(KBSI) – The Southern Illinois region has seen its first case of Whooping Cough just days after children returned to school and health officials warn we could see more cases.

According to the Herrin Community Unit School Districts Superintendent Nathaniel Wilson they were made aware that one elementary student tested positive for the virus and they notified all parents and deep cleaned the school. Local health officials were also notified. 

Shawnna Rhine is the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Southern Seven Health Department of Illinois; she shares that because we have a vaccine whooping cough is not common in our region. But it is considered highly contagious and can be really hard on an unvaccinated child or even deadly to someone with an underlying health issue or compromised immune system and even children who are vaccinated can still catch the virus, but the severity of the symptoms will be less. 

“Pertussis more commonly known as whooping cough is a highly contagious and easily spread virus. So it is airborne” says Rhine. “A person can have symptoms for up to three weeks after initial onset. So, it is something that we want parents to be cognizant of and make sure that your kids are vaccinated before they start school.” 

Rhine says the best way to protect your child this school year is by getting vaccinated, and talking with your healthcare provider about concerns related to the vaccine.

“Whooping cough is not very common because of vaccination. Throughout decades, we don’t see the virus in our region very often, but it does occur. And for those who aren’t fully vaccinated, it can be serious. It can even be life threatening” says Rhine.

What you need to know:
-Pertussis is spread through coughing and sneezing, so it’s airborne and an infected person is contagious from just before onset of symptoms until up to three weeks after symptoms
start.

-Anyone can catch the virus, and it can be harder on those under one or with compromised immune systems
-Symptoms are similar to those of a common cold – a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever and a mild, and can
last long as 21 days.
-Patient will have cough that gradually becomes severe after one to two weeks, resulting in the characteristic
high-pitched “whoop,” after a coughing episode.
– During such an attack, the patient may turn blue, vomit and become exhausted.
How is pertussis treated?
-Pertussis is usually treated with antibiotics.
-In severe cases, hospitalization may be required.
Pertussis/whooping cough can be prevented through DTaP vaccine is given in a series of 5 doses before age 6,
Tdap is given to adults in a series of 3 or more doses through age 64.