Cases of pertussis (whooping cough) have been recently diagnosed in Sunrise Health Region.
Pertussis is a serious infection of the respiratory (breathing) system. Anyone can get pertussis, but the disease is most severe in children less than one year where it can be fatal. This disease can also have severe consequences if caught by pregnant women in the last trimester, as it can be passed on to the newborn with the potential to cause severe complications or death.
The germ is spread very easily by infected people when they cough, sneeze or have close contact with others. Pertussis can easily spread from person to person, especially among people of the same household, school or daycare.
Early symptoms of pertussis are sneezing, runny nose, a fever and a cough. Over time, the cough gets worse, leading to severe coughing spells with a whooping sound before the next breath and often ends in vomiting. The cough can last up to two months and can make it very hard to breathe. Young infants may not have these exact symptoms, and a parent or caregiver may not realize how sick their baby really is. Possible complications are pneumonia, seizures and inflammation of the brain tissue. Once a person has had pertussis, they do not develop life-long protection and may get the disease again.
“Please see your health care provider as soon as possible for assessment if you or your child experience signs suggestive of pertussis” recommends Dr. Nsungu, Medical Health Officer. “To be successful, treatment must start early in the disease process.”
Pertussis can be prevented by a vaccine series given multiple times in childhood and once again in grade eight. As a way of protecting infants, especially those below the age of six months, we also provide the vaccine to caregivers of babies up to six months of age.
“I would like to take this opportunity to remind all Sunrise Health Region residents to ensure that their children’s immunization is up to date.” adds Dr. Nsungu. “Caregivers of young infants or those requiring more information are encouraged to consult their Public Health Nurse.”
