JAMESTOWN – The Chautauqua County Health Department is looking into two cases of Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, that was detected at Jamestown High School.
The School says they are working with health officials to make sure that families of students affected are notified.
In the meantime, the school is asking parents to pay attention to their child’s respiratory symptoms.
“There has been an uptick in flu cases not only in the district but across New York State,” said Jill Muntz, JPS District Nurse Practitioner. “We are finding that there is a type of influenza that is not included in the vaccination. Please understand that it is still important to get the flu vaccine because we find it shortens the duration of the flu and protects at-risk populations, however, there are cases where you may still get it. It is very important that people who have flu symptoms go to their health care provider as soon as possible for potential treatment as antiviral drugs can shorten the illness and make the symptoms milder.”
Doctors say symptoms of whooping cough seem like a mild cold at first, but are followed by severe coughing fits. Student with a severe cough are asked to stay home and visit their doctor.
Antibiotics can be used to control symptoms and prevent the spread of the infection. There is also a vaccine to protect against whooping cough.
Don’t they have to be vaccinated to attend school there? there was another school a week or so ago where many got whooping cough and all were vaccinated. :/
Sadly this is what comes of being in an under-vaccinated population. Parents who love their children get them vaccinated, and that includes the flu shot. These are serious, life-threatening diseases, and they are preventable.