The Whooping Cough

by Cathleen Liberty
Health Agent

As of late, the Board of Health is hearing about cases of Pertussis.  Most people identify with the more common name, whooping cough, rather than Pertussis, but it is the same highly contagious bacterial disease of the respiratory tract.  Pertussis is transmitted from person to person by coughing or sneezing and is seen more in infants and young children; however, adults can also get Pertussis as well. Symptoms can appear 7-10 days after infection that eventually develops into a cough followed by whooping or a sound a person makes gasping for air after a coughing fit, hence the name whooping cough.

How to protect yourself from contracting Pertussis

Getting vaccinated for Pertussis is a very effective way to protect yourself from the disease and most of the population is vaccinated against Pertussis when babies, however the vaccination is not 100% effective so a fully vaccinated person, regardless of age can catch the disease if exposed. However, the vaccinated person may have a less severe case of Pertussis, therefore, if you experience a very bad cough for a long period of time, the best thing to do is contact your doctor.

How to protect from spreading Pertussis to other people

Spreading the disease can be thwarted by practicing good hygiene etiquette while being ill, especially if you are coughing or sneezing.  Practicing good hygiene etiquette means covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and if there is not a tissue at hand, use the upper sleeve to cough or sneeze into, not your hands.  Washing your hands after coughing or sneezing with soap and water is the smart thing to do or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water is not available.

Remember…

Practicing good hygiene etiquette is the most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of all infections. But, to help stop the spread of any illness, especially Pertussis, it is as important to avoid close contact with people, which includes staying home from work or school while ill. You should know, it only takes one person with Pertussis to infect up to 15 other people.