Pertussis is a highly contagious disease that is spread through the air by coughing. Pertussis begins with cold symptoms and a cough that becomes much worse over two weeks. Symptoms usually include a long series of coughs (“coughing fits”) followed by a whooping noise. However, older children, adults and very young infants may not develop the whoop. There is generally only a slight fever, but symptoms may include a series of coughs followed by vomiting, turning blue, or difficulty catching breath. The cough is often worse at night and cough medications usually do not help alleviate the cough. If your child has been in contact with someone with pertussis, antibiotics may prevent them from becoming ill.

     If your child is already sick, giving antibiotics early can help your child get well faster and lower the chances of spreading the disease to others. Treatment of pertussis requires five days of antibiotics such as Zithromax, Biaxin, Erythromycin or Bactrim. After five days of treatment, your child is no longer considered communicable but may continue to cough.

     Please consider the following Cattaraugus County Department of Health recommendations:

   •  Infants under 1 year old, especially those under 6 months, are most likely to have severe symptoms if they develop pertussis. When possible, young infants should be kept away from people with a cough. Infants with any coughing illness should be seen promptly by their doctor.

   •  Pertussis vaccine is given to children under 7 years old. If you have children less than 7 years of age who have not been completely immunized against pertussis (particularly infants under 1 year), the Cattaraugus County Health Department recommends you talk to your child’s doctor about the benefits of vaccination.

   •  There is a new vaccine containing pertussis that can now be given to 11-1 8-year-olds. This vaccine is called Boostrix and consists of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. With parent or guardian written consent, the Cattaraugus County Health Department will administer this vaccine to students over 11 years of age at the Gowanda Clinic for students in grades five, six, seven and eight on Friday, Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon. As soon as the vaccine supply is available. students over age 11 will be offered the vaccine at other schools as well.

   •  If your child comes down with cold symptoms that include a cough, talk to your child’s doctor without delay. Tell the doctor that pertussis has been seen in your child’s schoolmates.

     If you have further concerns or questions, you may contact your doctor or the Cattaraugus County Health Department at 1-800-251-2584.