Confirmed Case of Pertussis in Waynesville Elementary

CONFIRMED CASE OF PERTUSSIS IN WAYNESVILLE ELEMENTARY   There has been a confirmed case of pertussis in Waynesville Elementary. The bacillus, Bordatella pertussis, is the cause of this illness, which is also known as “Whooping Cough”.  Pertussis is characterized by a cough illness lasting at least 2 weeks with one of the following: paroxysms of coughing (repeated violent coughs without breathing in between), inspiratory “whoop” (a gasp that follows the paroxysm and produces a characteristic high-pitched whoop sound), or post-cough vomiting, without other apparent cause. A milder case can present with cold symptoms and a lingering cough. Young infants are at increased risk of complications from pertussis.   The bacillus is present in the saliva/phlegm of an infected person.  People become infected through direct contact with the discharges from an infected person, usually by the airborne route.  Communicability is greatest in the early stages of Pertussis – generally the first 2 weeks.  The incubation period, which is how long it may take for a person to show symptoms after exposure, can be up to 3 weeks for Pertussis.    Should your child develop any of these symptoms in the next few weeks, they should contact their doctor (or the health department if they do not have a doctor).  They will then be advised on further action needed, if any.   If you have further questions, please contact your primary care provider.   Jennifer Royalty Wayne Local School Nurse