Whooping cough still spreading in Flathead Valley
The Flathead City-County Health Department announced Friday that pertussis (whooping cough) remains a problem in the Flathead Valley with three recently reported cases in grade-school children.
“Pertussis is a highly contagious, serious illness that can affect anyone,” said Jody White, community health services director.
She said pertussis spreads through contact with discharges from the mouths and noses of infected people. Regular hand washing and covering coughs helps prevent infections.
White said people with pertussis should not go to day care, school, work or public gatherings until at least five days after starting an antibiotic.
Health officials urge those who have had a cough lasting more than one week to consult their health-care provider. This is especially true if the cough tends to be worse at night and sounds different than a typical upper respiratory cough.
Symptoms usually appear five to 10 days after exposure, but can take as long as 21 days. The first symptoms are similar to those of a common cold accompanied by coughing.
In pertussis, the cough gradually becomes worse with coughing spasms, which can end in vomiting or the characteristic, high-pitched “whoop.” Anyone with suspicious symptoms needs to stay home and contact a doctor since early treatment is important.
To prevent secondary cases, it is important that all household and close contacts, including classmates, be treated with medication at the same time as the ill person.
Health officials remind the public that immunization remains the best way to prevent pertussis, a preventable disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
It is especially important for infants and children to get pertussis immunizations since the disease can be more critical, even fatal, in children under the age of one year.
Vaccines are available for people ages 2 months through 64 years of age. Contact the Flathead City-County Health Department at 751-8110 or a medical provider for more information.