By Kim Hilsenbeck.
Cases of pertussis – commonly called whooping cough – have spiked nationwide. In Texas alone, projections show the number of people with this potentially deadly disease will likely surpass 3,358 in 2009, putting Texas on track to reach levels not seen in more than 50 years.
Two pertussis-related deaths were reported in Texas this year, both of infants too young to be vaccinated.
So far in 2013, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported about 2,000 cases of pertussis. Last week, one more case was confirmed at Hays CISD’s Negley Elementary School.
Principal Charla Salmeron wrote to parents saying, “whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can spread through the air when people cough. It usually starts like a common cold and gets worse and worse over 1-2 weeks as a cough develops.”
The letter continued, “People with whooping cough may have coughing spells in which they can’t catch their breath. At the end of a..spell, they may loudly gasp (“whoop”) and vomit or feel like they’re choking. Young babies may not have a cough, but may have trouble breathing and gag, gasp, turn color or vomit. There is usually no fever with whooping cough.”
Antibiotics can prevent the spread of whooping cough and are recommended for those with pertussis.
Hays CISD’s WELL Clinic Director, Ruth Roberts, said immunizations are the best way to prevent the spread of pertussis.
Dtap is a routine immunization for children before kindergarten. To begin school at Hays CISD, students must have the five-shot series. But immunity wanes over time, Roberts said.
“There is a Booster shot (the Tdap) recommended around 11-12 years of age,” she said. “It’s also important for family members to be immunized. There is a Tdap for adults widely available at physicians’ offices and pharmacies. Vaccination is especially important to protect the young children. Pertussis can be very dangerous in young babies.”
Dr. Anna Lincoln, pediatrician and co-partner at Pediatric Junction in Buda, said her practice is doing more and more testing for pertussis, which uses a swab of the nasal cavity, but haven’t had any confirmed cases. Patients at the practice are required to get all immunizations, which Lincoln strongly recommends for all children.
Parents can watch for symptoms in their children and should keep babies away from anyone with a cough.
Roberts recommends parents contact their healthcare provider for questions about Pertussis.
Registered Hays CISD students under 18 (and their children and younger siblings) can receive the vaccination at the district’s WELL Clinic if they qualify for Texas Vaccines for Children. Call (512) 268-5218 with questions.
