Whooping cough reported at SRHS

Whooping cough reported at SRHS

The San Diego Unified School District sent a message to families with students at Scripps Ranch High School on Sept. 19, informing them that a case of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, has has “been identified” at the school.

Pertussis is spread in the air through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include runny nose, slight fever and cough which becomes worse. Coughing spasms may follow with a whooping sound, gagging, vomiting, choking or turning blue. Infants and older adults are at highest risk for complications.

The disease is treated with antibiotics. Parents were directed to call their doctor if their child has symptoms or is not fully immunized. It was suggested that a doctor may want to test for pertussis, even if a child has a new symptom of runny nose, without a cough.

To be fully immunized, all children over age 10 and adults (including those over age 64 years) must receive a booster shot at least once. Younger children must have five shots by school entry. California Immunization law requires a Tdap booster for school attendance for grades 7-12.

For more information on Pertussis or county immunization clinics, call the County Health Department at 866-358-2966.