It’s Here; Shreveport In For Possible New Outbreak of Whooping Cough

 What Are The Symptoms Of Whooping Cough

Can Whooping Cough Kill You?

 What Can People Do To Prevent Contracting Whooping Cough?

Pertussis, commonly referred to as "Whooping Cough" has reared it's ugly head in Shreveport and it's left many people with a number of questions.

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In an article from The Shreveport Times, we learn that a student at Captain Shreve has been recently diagnosed with a case of Whooping Cough.

This prompted the Caddo Parish School District to send out a special statement regarding this issue:

This afternoon staff received a call from the Louisiana Department of Health informing the district of a confirmed case of pertussis (whooping cough) affecting a Captain Shreve student. Our Nursing Department, along with district and school leadership, immediately began working to provide accurate information on pertussis to our families with a letter going home to parents today. We are grateful for our partnership with the Department of Health in quickly informed our district of the case and supporting efforts to provide accurate, timely information to our parents, staff, and students.

After receiving the notice, scores of parents with children attending Caddo schools had a number of questions regarding the highly contagious respiratory illness.

What Are The Symptoms Of Whooping Cough

The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) states that after exposure to the whooping cough bacteria, it usually takes 5 to 10 days for symptoms to appear and that sometimes these symptoms won't develop for as long as 3 weeks.

• Appears like a common cold - Whooping cough appears similar to a common cold early on. Healthcare providers often don't suspect or diagnose it until more severe symptoms appear.
• Early symptoms can last for 1 to 2 weeks and usually include runny or stuffed-up nose
• Low-grade fever (less than 100.4°F)
• Mild, occasional cough
• Babies may struggle to breathe
• Many babies with whooping cough don't cough at all. Instead, they may have apnea (life-threatening pauses in breathing). The apnea may cause cyanosis (to turn blue) or they may struggle to breathe.
• For some babies, whooping cough may seem like a common cold for the entire illness, not just at the beginning.
• Later symptoms include Rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits
• One to 2 weeks after the first symptoms start, people may develop paroxysms, known as coughing fits. These coughing fits usually last 1 to 6 weeks but can last for up to 10 weeks. The cough generally gets worse and becomes more common as the illness continues.
• Coughing fits can cause people to make a high-pitched "whoop" when they inhale after a coughing fit.  Vomit during or after coughing fits.  Feel very tired after the fit, but usually seem well in-between fits.  Have difficulty sleeping at night. Struggle to breathe. Fracture (break) a rib.  Those who get these coughing fits say it's the worst cough of their lives.

Can Whooping Cough Kill You?

The New York State Department of Health addressed the question of possible death related to whooping cough and their response was sobering.

It is a serious lung infection caused by bacteria. It is also very contagious and causes coughing fits. Whooping cough is most serious for babies with very small airways. It can lead to death.

The CDC states that babies under the age of 1 are most at risk of serious complications from pertussis.  About 1 in 3 babies younger than 1 year old who get whooping cough need care in the hospital. The younger the baby, the more likely they'll need hospital treatment. Babies younger than 1 year old who are treated in the hospital can have:

• Apnea: 2 in 3 (68%)
• Pneumonia (lung infection): 1 in 5 (22%)
• Convulsions (violent, uncontrolled shaking): 1 in 50 (2%)
• Encephalopathy (disease of the brain): 1 in 150 (0.6%)

One in 100 (1%) will die from their complications.

What Can People Do To Prevent Contracting Whooping Cough?

The CDC highly recommends vaccination for whooping cough prevention, especially for everyone, but especially for young children, pre-teens and pregnant women.

They do highlight that these vaccines work well, but protection fades over time, so a new vaccine could be necessary if a person hasn't had one in a while.