Dec. 29--DECATUR -- Earlier this month, the Macon County Health Department reported an increase in pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough. According to a recent news release, three laboratory-confirmed cases and two probable cases were identified in early December, a trend that holds true in Illinois and other states.
As of the beginning of December, 813 cases of pertussis had been reported in Illinois for 2010 -- 165 more than were seen in all of 2009. According to the release, California has reported 10 infant deaths from pertussis this year.
Pertussis is especially dangerous to infants, who cannot be vaccinated. They experience more serious illness and are more likely to require hospitalization or have serious complications, the release said.
The illness, which begins with a cough and symptoms similar to those of a cold, can occur between five and 21 days after exposure. According to the health department, after initially appearing, the symptoms worsen over a period of weeks and can cause coughing spasms and the characteristic "whoop" of breathing in afterwards.
"Some adolescents and adults may demonstrate a milder form of the illness, so mild they don't even know they are sick," the release stated.
The health department's communicable disease department is implementing a variety of strategies designed to reduce the spread of the disease. One initiative involves educating medical providers about the importance of recognizing pertussis symptoms early and following up with proper tests, treatments and reporting.
Advising those who have been in close contact with reported pertussis cases and reminding those with symptoms to stay home and away from those at risk of complications are among the other elements of the department's effort.
The health department also advises that parents and caregivers of infants and those who have never received a tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccination do so to help protect those at high risk of complications and themselves.
The Macon County Health Department will provide the Tdap vaccine at no charge for adult caregivers and parents of WIC infants through Dec. 29. The vaccine also is available at many area medical providers' offices or at the health department from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays for $53, according to the release.
For more information, call 423-6988 or visit www.maconcountyhealth.org.
agetsinger@herald-review.com 421-6968
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