MAYVILLE – An increase in the number of cases of whooping cough has been identified by the Chautauqua County Department of Health. With that, health officials are reminding the public that the best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated.
County Public Health Director Christine Schuyler says whooping Cough is very contagious and can cause serious illness – especially in infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated and children less than one year-old. She says residents should make sure infants and young children get the recommended series of shots on time. Adolescent and adult vaccination is also important, especially for families with new infants as the vaccine prevents getting whooping cough and passing it along to a baby. Caregivers, close friends and relatives who spend time with the baby, including grandparents, should get vaccinated, too.
Whooping coughing, which is clinically known as Pertussis, is spread through the air during close contact from a sick person when talking, sneezing, or coughing. Early symptoms are similar to a common cold and then progress to a long series of coughs or “coughing fits” followed by a whooping noise.
The cough is often worse at night and cough medicines usually do not help alleviate it. Vaccinated individuals may still be susceptible to the pertussis disease, but generally have milder symptoms.
For more information, please call the Chautauqua County Department of Health at 1-866-604-6789 or visit www.cdc.gov.
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