WHITE PINE--A case of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, has been confirmed locally.
Every White Pine School student received a letter from the State of Tennessee Department of Health East Tennessee Regional Health Office in Knoxville Friday, April 24, indicating a pertussis case has been confirmed in the school.
According to the letter, signed by Interim Regional Health Officer Dr. Deborah Horton, "Pertussis is a respiratory disease that lasts for weeks and usually causes severe coughing spells, often displaying a distinctive "whooping" sound as the person catches his/her breath. Vomiting may or may not occur during of after coughing episodes."
The letter indicates pertussis is not rare, but is often undiagnosed in adolescents and adults. It can be life threatening in unvaccinated infants. Pertussis is spread from person to person much like the flu, through direct contact with infected mucus, typically associated with coughing, the letter states. Sharing food or beverages, kissing, or other forms of close personal contact may also transmit the illness, according to the letter.
Paula Campbell with the State of Tennessee Department of Health East Tennessee Regional Health Office in Knoxville told The Plain Talk Thursday morning, April 30, one case was confirmed at White Pine School, but follow up testing has resulted in "no other positives."
After some concerned parents told The Plain Talk they have heard there were as many as five cases of pertussis at the school, The Plain Talk conducted a follow-up call to the regional office on Friday, May 1, and was told there has only been one confirmed case reported to the regional office.
Pertussis is confirmed by a nasal swab for PCR or a culture.
Campbell said she did not know if cases have been reported in other local schools. She noted the most effective way to prevent the disease is by keeping immunizations up to date.
Antibiotics are used to treat pertussis, and those diagnosed with the illness are advised to stay home until completing at least five days of antibiotic treatment.
"If your child develops a severe cough that lasts for two weeks or longer, vomits after coughing, or loses his/her breath with coughing spell, you are advised to contact your child's physician and let him or her know of the possibility of pertussis exposure," the letter states.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pertussis symptoms at first resemble the common cold, and include mild fever, runny nose, and a cough. The cough then becomes more severe, causing coughing fits that may be followed by vomiting.
The CDC Web site indicates that while most babies and young children get vaccinated for whooping cough, the protection begins to wear off after five to 10 years. The CDC recommends adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age, and all adults who care for infants should receive a single dose booster vaccine known as Tdap (a booster for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). According to the letter sent home with White Pine students, some doctors carry a brand of Tdap dose that may be given at age 10.