How Whooping Cough Spreads, And What To Do If You Have To Deal With It
By Dr. Brian McDonough
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Two confirmed cases of Pertussis at Souderton Area High School have prompted the Montgomery County Health Department to place the school under "Outbreak Status." But what does dealing with Whooping Cough actually mean?
We've definitely been seeing a resurgence in Pertussis in recent years. Also known as Whooping Cough, it's a highly contagious respiratory condition.
It's caused by a bacterium called bordetella pertussis. It can be serious – particularly in children up to seven years old and in those who have not been completely immunized against the disease.
That's one of the big problems – not everyone has been full immunized.
Babies, for instance, in the first year of life have several series of doses of vaccine to get, but if they are exposed early on, it can be a problem. The key is to try to limit exposure.
Since it can be spread through coughing or sneezing, people should stay home to limit that exposure until they can get a handle on it.
