Pleasant Valley Primary School

PERTUSSIS UPDATE

ACCORDING TO WASHINGTON STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND OUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WHOOPING COUGH (PERTUSSIS) HAS REACHED EPIDEMIC LEVELS IN OUR STATE AND LOCALE. BABIES AND THE ELDERLY ARE AT HIGHEST RISK, SO IT’S IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE ELSE GET VACCINATED TO PROTECT THEM! TO GET VACCINATED, CALL YOUR PROVIDER OR PHARMACY. MANY PHARMACIES OFFER WALK-IN TdAP VACCINATIONS. IF YOU DON’T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, YOU CAN CONTACT SEA MAR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER AT (360) 852-9070. THE FREE CLINIC WILL BE OFFERING THE PERTUSSIS VACCINE AT NO COST MAY 23RD FOR UNINSURED ADULTS.
Pertussis is a highly contagious disease spread through the air by coughing. Pertussis usually begins with cold-like symptoms and a cough that worsens over 1-2 weeks. Symptoms may include coughing “fits” followed by a “whooping” noise, vomiting, cyanosis,(turning blue) or the inability to catch one’s breath. The cough is often worse at night and cough medicines usually do not eliminate the cough. Persons infected with pertussis usually do not have a fever. In older children and adults, symptoms may be limited to a cough that lasts a long time and is worse at night. This illness is often very severe in small infants.
Although adults and children may catch pertussis, even if they have had all or some of their immunizations, vaccination against pertussis is still one of the best ways to reduce the risk of getting this disease. Clark County Public Health encourages parents to take this opportunity to ensure their families are up-to-date with vaccinations that protect against pertussis and other diseases.
People exposed to pertussis can lower the risk of becoming ill by taking antibiotics prescribed by their health care provider. Those who are already ill from exposure to someone with pertussis can take antibiotics to recover more quickly and reduce the risk of spreading pertussis to others.
If you have questions about pertussis or recommended childhood vaccinations, please call your health care provider or the Clark County Public Health Department at 360-397-8182.