December 2011

 

Have you considered getting Tdap Vaccine Protection against Pertussis and a Flu Vaccine for you and your family?

 

Dear Parents and Guardians:

 

Whooping cough (Pertussis) is in the community. Protect yourself against whooping cough with immunization, and seek medical care right away if you or anyone in your family might have whooping cough. Whooping cough starts out like a common cold, and is often followed within days by severe coughing spells. Young babies may not cough and disease may be milder in older children and adults. The disease can spread easily at school or home.

 

Pertussis is a disease of the respiratory tract caused by a bacterium (Bordetella pertussis) that is easily spread from person to person through infected secretions from the nose and throat. People are contagious from one to two weeks before, to three weeks after, the onset of cough, unless treated with an appropriate antibiotic earlier. 

Symptoms to look for include:

  1. Low grade fever
  2.  Runny nose
  3. Cough that is initially mild but which may progress to deep rapid coughing often ending with a “whoop”
  4. Cough that is often worse at night
  5. Vomiting which may occur after coughing

 

Although childhood immunizations include those for Pertussis , immunity to this disease decreases over time, making older children and adults vulnerable to the illness.  In 2005, pertussis-containing vaccines were first licensed for adolescents and adults.  Prior to that, pertussis vaccines were only administered up to age seven.  While older children may have some remaining immunity, if they develop even a mild case of pertussis, it can be transmitted to infants and young children who may require hospitalization.

A booster shot (calledTdap) is recommended for all children and adults 10 years of age and older to help prevent getting whooping cough. It’s especially important if there is a new baby at home now or coming soon, and for everyone who may come in contact with a baby. Talk withyour doctor about getting immunized!

 

Also, be sure to get the Flu vaccine for you and your child every year! Flu vaccine is

available in many places and protection lasts throughout the flu season!

Whooping cough and flu vaccines are safe and effective. The most common side effect

is soreness at the injection site.

 

Please feel free to contact the Health Room if you have any questions or concerns.

Further information may be obtained at www.cdc.gov , and a fact sheet can be found at http://ideha.dhmh.maryland.gov/.

 

Bernadette Childs R.N., Mary Ann Chalfant R.N.