Pertussis (also called whooping cough) has been reported among students at Saint Paul Public Schools and in our community.
Pertussis can be a serious bacterial illness. Pertussis may begin with a runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, and possibly a low-grade fever. After one to two weeks, the cough worsens and begins to occur in sudden, uncontrollable bursts. These coughing attacks can end in vomiting and/or in a high-pitched whooping noise. Coughing attacks often happen at night. Older children and adults may have a less typical cough. The cough can continue for up to three months.
People with pertussis should not go to school, work or any activities until they have finished five days of antibiotic treatment, unless they have already been coughing for three or more weeks. Although the cough can last longer than three weeks, a person is no longer contagious after the third week.
Pertussis can be less severe in adults and older children and when not recognized and treated, can be easily passed on to infants, who may become very ill. If you or your child have a cough and have had contact with someone with pertussis or have been coughing for seven days or longer, discuss pertussis with your healthcare provider.
Most children have been vaccinated for pertussis, but protection can decrease over time. People who have completed some or all of the recommended vaccinations for pertussis may still get pertussis disease but will generally have a milder illness. Now is a good time to ensure you are up to date on your pertussis vaccines.
For information on accessing your or your family's immunization records, visit Find My Immunization Record. More information on pertussis (whooping cough) can be found here.
Any questions can be directed to the St. Paul – Ramsey County Public Health Department at 651-238-3716 or the Minnesota Department of Health at 1-877-676-5414.
Nurse Jenny can be reached at 651-419-1219 or you can email her at jennifer.martineau@spps.org.
