Local student contracts Pertussis

A female elementary school student at Fort Scott Christian Heights has been diagnosed with pertussis, a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease, commonly known as "whooping cough."

Bourbon County Public Health Department Director Alice Maffett said that the diagnosis has been confirmed by lab tests.

Maffett said the child has been taken out of school and will remain out for five days while she receives antibiotic treatment. Maffet added that the student is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery from the illness.

She said the student's mother and three siblings have since developed a cough and are being treated for the cough. At this time, Maffett said, it is not certain whether they are coming down with pertussis, and only tests will confirm that.

Pertussis is a disease that affects a person's respiratory tract. It is caused by a bacterium that is found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person. Pertussis can occur at any age, though most of the reported cases occur in children under five years old, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Pertussis in infants can make it difficult for the infant to eat, drink or breathe.

Pertussis is primarily spread by direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat of infected persons. Maffett said the symptoms of pertussis can resemble those of the common cold. They include sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and a mild cough.

Within two weeks, the cough becomes more severe and is characterized by episodes of numerous rapid coughs followed by a crowing or high-pitched whoop, hence the disease's nickname. Also, thick, clear mucus may be discharged. These episodes may recur for one to two months and are more frequent at night.

Maffett said anyone with these symptoms should contact their physician and be tested for any possibly serious illness, such as pertussis.

Due to the confirmed case at Christian Heights and the contagiousness of the illness, Maffett said it is important for parents to understand the symptoms of the disease and to make sure their children have had the proper immunizations.

The main tool in the prevention of pertussis is the DTaP vaccine, which stands for Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis. Maffett said that by the age of six, children should have had received five DTaP vaccines. According to KDHE documents, children should receive the vaccine at the ages of two months, four months, six months, 15-18 months and 4-6 years. Maffett said children can receive the vaccine at the public health office or from their personal physician.

The vaccine, like most, is not 100 percent effective, however. The case at FSCH illustrates that as the infected student did have all five recommended vaccines.

According to KDHE, maintaining the highest possible level of immunization in the community is the single most effective control measure against the spread of pertussis. People who have or may have pertussis are encouraged to stay away from young children and infants until properly treated.

Complications of pertussis may include pneumonia, middle ear infection, loss of appetite, dehydration, seizures, disorders of the brain, apneic episodes (brief cessation of breathing) and even death.

For more information about pertussis, contact the Bourbon County Public Health Department at (620) 223-4464.