Whooping Cough free so far in Mahaska County
Mahaska Health Partnership
Whooping Cough has been making the news in Iowa in the last few months. I wanted to catch up with Mahaska Health Partnership and their staff on some idea’s about the illness and how it is best avoided and treated.
What are some of the signs and symptoms of Whooping Cough? “Pertussis or also called “Whooping Cough” starts like a cold, runny nose, sneezing and an irritating cough. Within one to two weeks the cough develops into coughing fits. As the coughing spells worsen they may be uncontrollable violent coughs which the person struggles for breath. When coughing it may sound like a whooping noise when the person inhales. The coughing fits occur more frequently at night and often followed by vomiting. Between spells the person usually appear well.” Mahaska Health Partnerships Patty Malloy about the illness.
How do you prevent from getting Pertussis otherwise known as Whooping Cough? “Routine immunizations can decrease risk in getting pertussis. It is spread through the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes and other people breathe in the infected droplets. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands frequently, stay away from others who are coughing.” Malloy said.
“Any age can be affected but most common in infants under 1 year of age.” MHP’s Malloy informed me about those who are most susceptible to the illness.
Is there medication to help prevent it, and does whooping cough require a hospital stay? “If you have been around an infected, meaning they have a positive lab test, then you should contact your health care provider and report this to them so you can be put on antibiotics to prevent the transmission . Antibiotics early in the illness or exposure can prevent or decrease the severity of the symptoms.” “Treatment with antibiotic is recommended if given early in the illness. Other treatments such as fluids, oxygen and mild sedation may be needed and require hospitalization.” Malloy said on those subjects.
Do you have any other advice you would like to pass along to the public? “Make sure your babies start their immunizations on time and children are up-to-date on their vaccine boosters. If you are a parent to a new infant or an adult around young children grandparent child care provider be sure your pertussis booster is up-to-date to protect the infants you care for.”
“Mahaska Public Health has not had any reported cases here in Mahaska county of pertusiss at this time. We will be notified by the Iowa Department of Public Health if there is a confirmed positive lab test so we can follow-up with those who may also have been in contact with that person and need treatment.” Malloy informed me on the current state of the disease in Mahaska County.
