Hilton student diagnosed with whooping cough

A student in the Hilton High School was diagnosed with whooping cough (pertussis), a highly contagious respiratory tract disease. A letter was sent home to parents on February 12 from the Monroe County Department of Health telling them of the student's diagnosis, what type symptoms to look for in their own children and an information sheet on the disease.

While pertussis can show up at any age, it is most prevalent in children. It is a disease that has been increasing in adolescents and adults in recent years. Pertussis is primarily spread by direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat of infected persons. Occasionally transmission can occur following contact with freshly contaminated articles from an infected person, an older sibling or parent.

Whooping cough begins as a mild upper respiratory infection. Initially, symptoms resemble those of a common cold, including sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and a mild cough. Within two weeks the cough becomes more severe and can be characterized by episodes of numerous, rapid coughs followed by a crowing or high pitched whoop. A thick, clear mucous may be discharged. These episodes may recur for up to two months, and are more frequent at night. Older persons or partially immunized children generally have milder symptoms. It can be transmitted for up to three weeks after the onset of a cough.

The vaccine for pertussis is usually given in combination with diphtheria and tetanus. A vaccine with acellular pertussis component is now used in the United States. Immunization authorities recommend that DtaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) vaccine be given at ages two, four, six and 12-15 months of age and between four and six years.

Certain antibiotics are effective in eliminating the germ from the nose and throat. Household contacts, day care contacts and other close contacts may need antibiotics for preventive treatment.

The district was notified by the health department of the infectious student. The student's name was not released.

February 18, 2007