Two Cases Of Highly Contagious Whooping Cough At Birmingham School

BIRMINGHAM, MI — Two cases of extremely contagious pertussis - AKA whooping cough - have popped up at Pierce Elementary School, according to a new letter to parents from Pierce Principal James Lalik.

So, what exactly is whooping cough? It's a bacterial infection that causes violent coughing spells. As the person gasps for air in between coughing fits, a "whooping" sound is created. Whooping cough can affect anyone and is easily spread by coughing and sneezing and it starts with symptoms like a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, and mild cough. Fast forward two weeks, and the "whooping" sound cough begins, which can last months.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most effective way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated. If you're currently fighting whooping cough, then antibiotics can treat it.

Below please find details of the whooping cough cases at Pierce Elementary in a letter dated Jan. 10 from Principal Lalik.

Dear Parents,

On January 5th we had notice that a case of pertussis (whooping cough) had been reported in a kindergarten classroom at our school. Parents of students specific to that classroom were notified at that time. However, we now have received notice that an additional student in the same kindergarten classroom has been diagnosed with pertussis. This second student was infectious during the period of January 5 – January 6. The student is currently out of school and will return once antibiotic treatment is complete. This child also attended Kids Club during that period.

The following guidelines are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations when there is more than one case of pertussis in a school setting:

• Please make sure your family’s vaccinations are up-to-date. Protection against pertussis from the childhood vaccine, DTaP, decreases over time. All older children and adults, particularly pregnant women, should get a pertussis booster shot called “Tdap” to protect themselves and infants near or around them.
• Monitor your child for symptoms. Pertussis begins with a runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, and possibly a low-grade fever. After a week or two, a persistent cough develops. Coughing attacks occur more frequently at night and may increase during the first two weeks of illness and then remain the same for many weeks before gradually decreasing.
• Respond to symptoms in your child. If your child experiences any of the above symptoms, they should be evaluated by a medical professional. Quick identification of suspected cases can reduce any further exposure within our school, encourages medical evaluation and proper testing for pertussis, and treatment of cases.

Regardless of their immunization status, children who are immunocompromised or have moderate to severe medically treatedasthma, and all children who live with or have close contact with an infant under 12 months old, a pregnant family member or anyone with a weakened immune system should contact their physician to receive preventive antibiotics.

For more information please refer to the attached Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) fact sheet on pertussis. Additionally, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) webpage on pertussis can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-73971_4911_4914-240419--,00.html

The health and safety of our students is our primary concern and should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the OCHD Nurse on Call at 248-858-1406.

Sincerely,

James Lalik