Health district warns parents about whooping cough

Tuesday, May 20, 2003 | 9:16 a.m.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is caused by a bacteria.

"Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease," Chief Health Officer Dr. Donald Kwalick said. "However, we have seen a resurgence of cases locally over the past year."

Surrounding states, including California, Arizona and Utah, have also reported increased cases, Kwalick said.

Several other cases of whooping cough are under investigation by Clark County Health District officials, Health District spokesman David Tonelli said.

"The three infants are the only confirmed cases at this time," Tonelli said. "They are all fine now."

The disease is quite severe in children younger than 1 year of age, Tonelli said, although whooping cough is usually mild in older children and adults.

"There is a slim risk of death from it in children under a year old," he said.

The pertussis bacteria is spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Adults and older children who have been ill with a prolonged cough should avoid contact with infants and see a physician, health officials said.

The five-dose vaccine for pertussis is given at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months of age and again at 4 years of age, Tonelli said. A minimum of three to four doses are necessary to prevent the disease.

There is no booster shot for whooping cough and the immunity from the vaccine wanes over time, Tonelli said. This may contribute to spreading the disease, especially if adults or older children with a mild case of the illness expose infants who have not been completely immunized.

Whooping cough symptoms usually occur in stages. The first stage may begin with a runny nose, sneezing, low fever and cough. The cough usually lasts one to two weeks before becoming worse. The second stage includes uncontrolled coughing spells followed by a whooping noise when inhaling. This stage may last four to six weeks.

Infants, Tonelli noted, may not exhibit all the symptoms, including the characteristic whooping cough, but may still be seriously ill.

Illness can be prevented by avoiding contact with sick individuals. Antibiotics may also be used to prevent pertussis, if prescribed within three weeks of contact with someone who is sick.