District finds case of pertussis

By GAZETTE STAFF Saturday, May 9, 2009

JANESVILLE — Janesville School District officials Thursday sent a letter home with students stating a student is ill with pertussis, or whooping cough.

The Rock County Health Department on Wednesday notified the district of the illness.

Parents do not need to take immediate action at this time, the letter stated.

The student will be able to return to school after taking antibiotics for five days.

Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that can be spread from person to person by breathing bacteria from a person who's coughing. Usually, a person needs repeated face-to-face contact to get sick, the letter states.

Parents are encouraged to monitor their children for symptoms for the next two weeks. Symptoms include a runny nose and an irritated cough that progressively gets worse for seven to 14 days.

The coughing spells can be "explosive" and usually interrupt sleep. The spells are followed by gagging or vomiting or a crowing "whoop" sound.

If your child has these symptoms, contact a health care professional.

Parents are encouraged to review immunization records to make sure children's Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine is current.

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