Richland County health officials are reporting a positive case of pertussis, also known as whooping cough. This makes a total of three confirmed cases in Richland County in 2013.
Cases of pertussis have been reported in over 28 counties in Montana. Local and state public health officials are concerned that the number of reported cases will continue to increase unless people recognize symptoms & take action to protect themselves and others.
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough or pertussis is a very serious respiratory (in the lungs and breathing tubes) infection caused by bacteria. It causes violent coughing you can’t stop. Whooping cough is most harmful for young babies and can be deadly. The DTaP & Tdap vaccines protect against whooping cough.
What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
Whooping cough starts with the following symptoms: resembles an ordinary cold
Runny or stuffed-up nose
Sneezing
Mild cough
A pause in breathing in infants (apnea)
After 1 to 2 weeks, coughing, which can be severe, starts.
Children and babies can cough very hard, over and over.
When children gasp for breath after a coughing fit, they make a “whooping” sound. Babies may not make this sound & this is not commonly heard in adults.
Coughing fits make it hard to breathe, eat, drink, or sleep. Coughing fits happen more at night.
Babies and young children may turn blue while coughing from lack of oxygen.
Coughing fits can last for 10 weeks, and sometimes recur with the next respiratory illness.
Pertussis can turn more serious, particularly in unvaccinated infants and persons with other severe diseases. So if you have been coughing for longer than 2 weeks without getting better after using regular cold meds you should speak to your provider for follow up and consider testing.
Most people are not aware that a Tdap booster is recommended for all adults. Children are vaccinated for pertussis if they are up to date with the recommended vaccinations. Please check with the health department or your provider if you have any questions regarding your vaccinations. People who are vaccinated are unlikely to become ill or as ill after an exposure or spread the illness to others.
The staff at Richland County Health Department (RCHD) is working hard to control the spread of the disease. Close environments such as schools and daycares are ideal for easily spreading pertussis and present challenges to health officials. We encourage parents to not send children who are ill to schools and daycares because pertussis spreads quickly in these settings.
Richland County Health Department has notified those who have been identified as close contacts who may have been exposed. Exposure is defined as being an arm’s length away or closer for one hour of time together. If you have not been contacted by the Health Department, but are experiencing symptoms or are concerned about exposure, please contact the Health Department at 406-433-2207 or your provider.
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