by Colleen Farley, RN and Vicki McCambridge, RN, BS, Director of Home Care Services of Boone County Hospital
There has been a lot of information in the media lately about Whooping Cough (also known as Pertussis). It is important to remember that Whooping Cough is not a new disease; it has been around for a very long time. Young children are vaccinated for Whooping Cough as part of their childhood immunizations but this wears off around middle school age.
Whooping cough usually starts with symptoms of a common cold with coughing and/or bronchitis. If a cough persists beyond 10 days then you should see your physician for treatment and or testing to see if you have Whooping Cough. Most get through this without any severe problems.
If you have had exposure to someone who has Whooping Cough it is important to remember that it must be “direct, face-to-face contact.” You will then need to contact your physician and be put on antibiotics. Casual contact (example: being in the same room for 1 hour a day) with an exposed person is not necessarily a reason to need treatment. Your physician can guide you on this.
To prevent the spread of this disease it is important to use good common sense. Seek treatment if you have symptoms or have been exposed and turn your head away from others when coughing. If you have further questions please contact your personal physician or your public health nurse at 432-1127 or 1-800-395-9737.
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