Pertussis (Whooping Cough) at BHHS
We were notified on Friday afternoon by the Oakland County Health Department of a student diagnosed with Pertussis (Whooping Cough). The student has already been removed from school until the course of treatment has been completed. As with any communicable disease, we want families to be aware of the symptoms and prevention care. Please see attached Pertussis Fact Sheet from the Oakland County Health Department who works with us in monitoring this situation. We hope this will remain an isolated incident.
The following guidelines are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations when there is more than one case of pertussis in a school setting:
- Please make sure your family's vaccinations are up to date. Protection against pertussis from the childhood vaccine, DTaP, decreases over time. All older children and adults, particularly pregnant women, should get a pertussis booster shot called "Tdap" to protect themselves and infants near or around them.
- Monitor your child for symptoms. Pertussis begins with a runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, and possibly a low-grade fever. After a week or two, a persistent cough develops. Coughing attacks occur more frequently at night and may increase during the first two weeks of illness and then remain the same for many weeks before gradually decreasing.
- Respond to symptoms in your child. Quick identification of suspected cases can reduce any further exposure within our school, encourages timely medical evaluation, and treatment of cases.
Regardless of their immunization status, students who are immunocompromised or have moderate to severe medically treated asthma, and all students who live with or have close contact with an infant under 12 months old or a pregnant family member, should contact their physician to receive preventive antibiotics.
The health and safety of our students is our primary concern and should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Oakland County Health Division Nurse on Call at (248) 858-1406.
OCHD School Pertussis Letter
Pertussis Fact Sheet
