08 Mar 2019
A case of Whooping Cough has been confirmed in a child from Kanahooka High School.
· Whooping cough can be a very serious illness for babies
· You can still get whooping cough even if you are vaccinated
· Please take this letter to your doctor if you or your child are coughing
It is important to look out for these symptoms in you and your child over the next 3 weeks:
- Dry cough
- Cough often worse at night and comes in bouts
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
Note: the “whoop” sound is often not heard in older children and adults
What should I do if my child is coughing?
If you or your child starts coughing please go to your doctor to be tested for Whooping Cough. This is extremely important if there is a baby less than 6 months of age living in your household. Anyone who is being tested for Whooping Cough should remain at home until the results are available.
Whooping Cough can be a very serious illness for small children, especially babies under twelve months old.
How is it tested?
Whooping Cough is tested by a throat or nose swab.
How is it treated?
Whooping Cough is a respiratory illness which is treated with a course of antibiotics. To prevent the spread to others, anyone with Whooping Cough should remain at home until they have had the first five days of antibiotics.
How is it prevented?
Vaccination is the best prevention for Whooping Cough. However, the vaccination for Whooping Cough is not 100% effective and you can still get Whooping Cough even if you are vaccinated. NSW Health recommends an adult booster vaccine every 10 years to protect from Diphtheria, Tetanus and Whooping Cough (Pertussis).
Need more information?
For more information, please see the Whooping Cough Factsheet, visit the NSW Health Website www.health.nsw.gov.au or call the Public Health Unit on 02 4221 6700.
Yours sincerely
Curtis Gregory
Director
Wollongong PHU, Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD
Public Health Unit – Wollongong Office
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Locked Bag 9, Wollongong, NSW 2500 Level 1 67-71 Warrawong NSW 2502
Tel (02)42216700 Fax (02) 4221 6759