The Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department has announced that cases of pertussis (whooping cough) are circulating in Shawano County.
Pertussis is caused by a bacteria and easily spreads from person to person through contact with droplets of saliva expelled by an infected person when they talk, cough, or sneeze, etc. Initially symptoms may be similar to the common cold — runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and mild occasional cough.
Individuals can further develop uncontrollable, violent coughing that makes it hard to breathe. After coughing, someone with pertussis may need to take deep breaths causing a “whooping” sound. Infected people can spread pertussis up to three weeks after the cough begins if they are not treated with the appropriate antibiotics.
Pertussis can affect people of all ages. However, it can be very serious, even deadly, for babies less than 1 year old. Many babies who get pertussis are infected by older siblings, parents, or caregivers who might not even know they have the disease.
The health departments are recommending anyone should contact their healthcare provider about any respiratory illness with a cough, that’s greater than two weeks duration, that’s violent and uncontrollable, includes an inspiratory whoop/gasping, that has gagging/vomiting after coughing, or is worse at night.
It is imperative for people to stay home and isolate while awaiting test results to prevent potential spread, according to the health department. Residents should be mindful of being distant from others in the household while waiting for results, especially those at higher risk for such as babies less than 1 year old, those who are pregnant, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
The best way to prevent pertussis among babies, teens, and adults is to get vaccinated. To check if you and your loved ones are up to date on your vaccinations that protect against pertussis, check the Wisconsin Immunization Registry at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/wir.htm
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