Whooping Cough Cases Rise in Brookings
April 1, 2006
The Brookings School District is dealing with a small outbreak of whooping cough. At least 5 students and one adult have tested positive for the relatively rare condition as of Friday afternoon, and there could be more.
In the early 19-hundreds, the bacteria B. pertussis, commonly known as "Whooping Cough" was a common disease among children. A vaccine came in the 1940's, and cases dropped by 80%. But whooping cough has made a comeback in recent years.
Dr. Gerald Turner has practiced medicine for 22 years and had never seen a whooping cough case until earlier this month in a 14 year-old Brookings girl.
"She seemed suspicious, so we checked her for (whooping cough) and it came back positive," Dr. Turner says.
The girl is a student at a Brookings middle school, and since her case was confirmed her 12 year-old brother and her mother have come down with whooping cough even though all of them have their shots up to date. Dr. Turner says it shows that the vaccination isn't always effective.
"3 out of 4 of this one family have come down with it even though they've been immunized," he says. But Dr. Turner explains that the cases are much less severe if the person's been immunized.
Three other kids at the middle school have tested positive as well, and there could be more. Several students have been tested and the results haven't come back yet.
The symptoms of whooping cough include, of course, a hacking cough where the patient can't catch their breath during the persistent cough. It starts like a cold Dr. Turner says, but isn't quite the same.
"If the coughing and the congestion start at the same time like a normal cold, it's probably not pertussis," he says.
It's most dangerous for kids under 1 year old, but Dr. Turner says it's only moderately contagious. The bacteria is spread by a close quarters sneeze or cough, and if you catch it, the symptoms can last for a long time. A 6 to 10 week cough is common, but cases aren't.
"We don't see a lot of it or it's not recognized that easily because most people have been immunized for it it's less severe," Dr. Turner says.
About 92% of kids in Brookings County are immunized, but Dr. Turner says that doesn't mean it won't affect you, or your family.
The Brookings School District has sent letters home to parents warning them about the whooping cough cases, and what to do if their child shows symptoms. They'll also hold a public vaccination clinic next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for anyone who wants to be immunized.
By: Chris Studer