The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency reminds residents to know their own and their child(ren)’s vaccination status against whooping cough (pertussis).  The agency is monitoring for additional cases of pertussis, with one recently identified case in St. Joseph County, and cases identified in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.  

Children usually receive a series of the pertussis vaccine (DTaP) in early infancy and another dose before starting school (Tdap). Tdap vaccine is used for children age 7 and adolescents. Children under age 7 receive DTaP vaccine. With school and college starting soon, now is a good time to reduce the spread of illness by updating your child(ren)’s vaccinations.  Adolescents and adults also need to get a booster dose to help protect them as they get older.

Early in the illness, pertussis may seem like a common cold. It can cause sneezing, runny nose, mild dry cough, and low-grade fever. After 1-2 weeks, more serious coughing spells,  that can last for more than a minute, may develop and can result in difficulty breathing.

At the end of the coughing spell, the person may make a high-pitched “whooping” sound as they try to catch their breath. The later stage may cause gagging or vomiting, and tends to be worse at night. The cough from pertussis can last six weeks or longer. This disease is very contagious and is spread by respiratory droplets from coughing.  People with pertussis can transmit the germ for four weeks after becoming ill.

Heidi Hazel, BSN, RN, director of personal health and disease prevention for the agency, urges anyone with pertussis symptoms to see their provider right away to get tested.  Anyone who wants to check on their immunization history can check online or contact their local health department office to check their history and schedule an appointment if vaccines are due.” 

Anyone with pertussis should stay home until five days of antibiotic treatment has been completed.  People that live with someone with pertussis should talk to their doctor about receiving a course of antibiotics to prevent the spread of the infection. 

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is committed to helping people live healthier. For more information, contact your local office, visit the agency’s website, or see them on Facebook or Instagram.