The Health Department performs a number of tasks when a pertussis, or whooping cough, case is identified and reported. First, a nurse from the health department will contact the patient to ensure they are aware of their diagnosis and receiving treatment.
The nurse also ensures treatment is received by the household and other close contacts and completes the required paperwork for each case.
In the case of pertussis, the nurse will also work with the patient to collect the names of other friends and acquaintances who may have had some exposure to the patient and places where the patient frequently works or socializes. These names are then held in confidence by the health department nurse for the purpose of comparing to other collected names and places to determine if there is a common link. If there is a common link, there is education the health department will provide to the people and places to help stop the spread of the disease.
The health department also works with health care providers to keep them aware of the disease diagnosis in the community and recommended treatment options. Additionally, the health department is a source for information about the disease for anyone interested in learning more.
How can you reduce chances of contracting pertussis?
To reduce your likelihood of contracting pertussis you should be vaccinated against it. Most children do receive vaccinations for pertussis at 2, 4, 6 and 12-15 months of age and again at age 4 or 5.
New this year, New York state is requiring sixth-graders to receive an additional pertussis vaccination.
In June 2005, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend the routine use of Tdap (Tetanus diphtheria and pertussis combination) vaccine in adolescents aged 11-18 years to replace tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) vaccines. The primary objective of this booster shot is to protect adolescents and adults against pertussis as the effectiveness of the initial vaccinations may diminish over time. It is unknown, but suspected that the widespread use of Tdap vaccine in adolescents and adults may help to reduce transmission of pertussis to young infants, who are at highest risk of severe pertussis.
There are vaccines available for people aged 11-64. It is important to note that individuals who have had pertussis do not become immune to the disease, so they should speak to their medical provider, along with anyone else interested in receiving the vaccine, about their eligibility or need for a booster shot. Being vaccinated won't necessarily prevent you from ever getting pertussis, but it will help lessen the severity of the disease if you do contract it.
Pertussis is spread through droplets. Therefore you do not want to be coughed on by someone who is contagious with the disease. Another way to reduce the spread of the disease is to stay home from work and school if you are sick. See your health care provider, get a laboratory confirmation of whether you have pertussis and take your antibiotics. Stay away from groups until you have been on antibiotics for five days, when you should no longer be contagious.
Pertussis symptoms will persist unabated when treatment is started after the first two weeks of the disease, therefore health care should be sought after one week of a bad cough. Of course if the patient has problems breathing or has a high fever, health care should be sought immediately. Coughs and colds without a fever, that last one week or less often are caused by viruses and may just be observed for worsening. Bad coughs or fevers in babies, the very elderly or the immune compromised should be checked quickly.
Should I be really worried if someone I know has pertussis?
Pertussis is a treatable disease. Early and accurate diagnosis and treatment significantly improves symptoms for the patient and limits spreading the disease to others. Pertussis is especially dangerous to infants with 1 in 20,000 dying from an infection. Infants are at higher risk until the initial series of vaccination is completed.
Infants and the elderly are most at risk for respiratory complications from pertussis. The most common problem which can develop is bacterial pneumonia. Pertussis may cause severe coughing spells, vomiting and disturbed sleep. It can lead to weight loss, incontinence, rib fractures and passing out from violent coughing. Other potential complications include seizures, encephalopathy, pneumothorax and otitis media. Patients may need hospitalization due to complications.
What else should we know about pertussis?
There are resources available to learn more about pertussis. Two good Web sites are the New York State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which can be accessed through the Cayuga County Health Department site at http://www.co.cayuga.ny.us/hhs/doh/index.htm. Call your local health department or health care provider if you have more questions.
Elane Daly is director of Health and Human Services for Cayuga County. She can be reached at 253-1560 or cchealth@dfa.state.ny.us
In the case of pertussis, the nurse will also work with the patient to collect the names of other friends and acquaintances who may have had some exposure to the patient and places where the patient frequently works or socializes. These names are then held in confidence by the health department nurse for the purpose of comparing to other collected names and places to determine if there is a common link. If there is a common link, there is education the health department will provide to the people and places to help stop the spread of the disease.
The health department also works with health care providers to keep them aware of the disease diagnosis in the community and recommended treatment options. Additionally, the health department is a source for information about the disease for anyone interested in learning more.
How can you reduce chances of contracting pertussis?
To reduce your likelihood of contracting pertussis you should be vaccinated against it. Most children do receive vaccinations for pertussis at 2, 4, 6 and 12-15 months of age and again at age 4 or 5.
New this year, New York state is requiring sixth-graders to receive an additional pertussis vaccination.
In June 2005, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend the routine use of Tdap (Tetanus diphtheria and pertussis combination) vaccine in adolescents aged 11-18 years to replace tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) vaccines. The primary objective of this booster shot is to protect adolescents and adults against pertussis as the effectiveness of the initial vaccinations may diminish over time. It is unknown, but suspected that the widespread use of Tdap vaccine in adolescents and adults may help to reduce transmission of pertussis to young infants, who are at highest risk of severe pertussis.
There are vaccines available for people aged 11-64. It is important to note that individuals who have had pertussis do not become immune to the disease, so they should speak to their medical provider, along with anyone else interested in receiving the vaccine, about their eligibility or need for a booster shot. Being vaccinated won't necessarily prevent you from ever getting pertussis, but it will help lessen the severity of the disease if you do contract it.
Pertussis is spread through droplets. Therefore you do not want to be coughed on by someone who is contagious with the disease. Another way to reduce the spread of the disease is to stay home from work and school if you are sick. See your health care provider, get a laboratory confirmation of whether you have pertussis and take your antibiotics. Stay away from groups until you have been on antibiotics for five days, when you should no longer be contagious.
Pertussis symptoms will persist unabated when treatment is started after the first two weeks of the disease, therefore health care should be sought after one week of a bad cough. Of course if the patient has problems breathing or has a high fever, health care should be sought immediately. Coughs and colds without a fever, that last one week or less often are caused by viruses and may just be observed for worsening. Bad coughs or fevers in babies, the very elderly or the immune compromised should be checked quickly.
Should I be really worried if someone I know has pertussis?
Pertussis is a treatable disease. Early and accurate diagnosis and treatment significantly improves symptoms for the patient and limits spreading the disease to others. Pertussis is especially dangerous to infants with 1 in 20,000 dying from an infection. Infants are at higher risk until the initial series of vaccination is completed.
Infants and the elderly are most at risk for respiratory complications from pertussis. The most common problem which can develop is bacterial pneumonia. Pertussis may cause severe coughing spells, vomiting and disturbed sleep. It can lead to weight loss, incontinence, rib fractures and passing out from violent coughing. Other potential complications include seizures, encephalopathy, pneumothorax and otitis media. Patients may need hospitalization due to complications.
What else should we know about pertussis?
There are resources available to learn more about pertussis. Two good Web sites are the New York State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which can be accessed through the Cayuga County Health Department site at http://www.co.cayuga.ny.us/hhs/doh/index.htm. Call your local health department or health care provider if you have more questions.
Elane Daly is director of Health and Human Services for Cayuga County. She can be reached at 253-1560 or cchealth@dfa.state.ny.us
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