Multiple cases of pertussis (whooping cough) have been reported in Whitman County residents. Spokane County is also seeing an increase in cases. Because pertussis is often mistaken for other respiratory illnesses in older children and adults, we want to provide you with information on this illness.
Pertussis is a contagious illness that begins with mild symptoms similar to the common cold, such as a runny nose and cough. The cough typically worsens over the next 2-3 weeks and tends to occur in spasms, or fits, that may be followed by a “whooping” sound. Coughing fits are sometimes followed by vomiting and are usually worse at night. Some people with pertussis, particularly older children and adults, may have mild symptoms and not realize they are sick or contagious.
In infants and young children, a cough may not be present and instead they may have trouble breathing and may gag, gasp, turn blue, or vomit. Pertussis can cause severe illness requiring hospitalization in infants and children under the age of one.
Pertussis is spread when ill people cough and sneeze near others, especially in close spaces over prolonged periods of time, such as within the same household. Symptoms usually appear within 7-10 days of exposure, but can be as long as three weeks. If your child develops a cough that occurs in fits and has a prolonged low-grade fever, or has other symptoms of respiratory distress, s/he should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
The best means of protecting children against pertussis is to keep their immunizations up-to-date. Immunity against pertussis decreases as children previously immunized get older. Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your child’s immunizations are current.
Pertussis is treated with antibiotics. If treated, a person with pertussis can return to normal activities, such as school, work or sports, five days after treatment is begun. Although they may continue to cough for many weeks, they are no longer contagious. Without antibiotics, someone with pertussis is contagious for several weeks after coughing begins. It is important that ill students stay home while contagious.
If you have further questions, consult your healthcare provider.
Whitman County Health, December 20, 2024
We are continuing to see cases of pertussis in school age children in Whitman County. We want to take a minute to explain the notifications that will go out when a school has a confirmed case of pertussis.
- A general letter of notification will go out to the entire school body alerting all students and staff there was a pertussis case confirmed in the school. It will recommend students and staff be on the alert for symptoms of pertussis, stay home when sick, and get tested by a healthcare provider if they are experiencing signs and symptoms of pertussis (listed in the letter). If you get this general notification letter, your child is not considered a close contact of a pertussis case and you do not need to seek treatment unless you develop symptoms consistent with pertussis.
- When your child is part of a classroom or cohort with a confirmed case of pertussis you will receive a letter stating that your child was a “close contact” of pertussis. This is a higher level of exposure and comes with different recommendations. You are considered a close contact of someone with pertussis if:
If you choose to take your child who was a “close contact” to a healthcare provider before they have symptoms, the provider will assess the child and family’s risk for getting very sick with pertussis and may recommend antibiotics to prevent those at high risk for severe illness from getting sick. If a healthcare provider does not consider the situation high risk, a close contact may be asked to watch for symptoms and come in right away for testing and treatment only if symptoms develop. If your child who was a close contact develops symptoms of pertussis please stay home and seek care to rule out pertussis.
Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] or call (509) 332-6752 during normal business hour with questions.