WHOOPING COUGH IS BACK

The local public hospital reported eight cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis.

A lot of people think pertussis is one of those diseases that has disappeared. Unfortunately, that is not true. With the rise of immigraion and the movement to refrain from vaccination of diseases, many of the old things we thought were gone have returned. You can get the Tdap immunization and booster shot from most physicians.

Pertussis\Whooping Cough is a respiratory tract infection. Those who have it cough frequently and are prone to coughing fits or spasms. The cough can last for three weeks or longer. It is contagious. You can be tested and treated for it. It takes two to three days to get test results back. If your results are positive, you will likely receive five days of antibiotic medicine. You are no longer contagious after the fifth day. The cough, however, can continue for three weeks or longer.