Special to The American
The Saint Louis County Department of Health is tracking a recent surge in the number of confirmed of a highly contagious illness. Pertussis, also known as “whooping cough,” is a respiratory disease caused by the bacterium bordetella pertussis.
Pertussis got the name “whooping cough” for causing uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After coughing fits, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breaths which result in a “whooping” sound.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says pertussis most commonly affects infants and young children and can be fatal, especially in babies less than 1 year of age.
Of the 185 cases reported among St. Louis County residents this year, 123 have occurred during the past six weeks. The monthly totals have increased from nine cases in September to 46 in October and 91 in November.
Incidences of whooping cough have been reported in 11 county school districts and in three private schools.
“There are steps we can all follow to reduce the chances of getting pertussis,” said Saint Louis County Health Department Director Dr. Dolores J. Gunn. They include:
• People with cough illnesses should stay home and avoid others, especially expectant mothers, infants, and young children.
• Vaccination with age appropriate vaccine can also help prevent pertussis.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and wash hands thoroughly and often.
Pertussis begins with symptoms similar to a cold: runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, and may include a low-grade fever. Within two weeks, the cough may become much worse with fits of coughing that continue for weeks.
Children and infants can catch whooping cough from adults who are infected with what they think may be a cough or a cold.
Typically, pertussis is milder in older children and adults, but undiagnosed persons can transmit the disease to infants and younger children.
For more information, please visit www.cdc.gov/pertussis or www.stlouisco.com/doh.