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    Whooping Cough

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    David Hyland
    Whooping cough is a serious lung infection that causes severe coughing fits and can lead to complications like pneumonia or brain damage. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs. Symptoms usually appear within two weeks of exposure. Vaccination is recommended, as is taking antibiotics if symptoms develop, to shorten the illness and prevent spread. Children with whooping cough should stay home from school until they have completed antibiotics and feel well enough to return.

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    Whooping Cough

    Uploaded by

    David Hyland
    35 views1 page
    Whooping cough is a serious lung infection that causes severe coughing fits and can lead to complications like pneumonia or brain damage. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs. Symptoms usually appear within two weeks of exposure. Vaccination is recommended, as is taking antibiotics if symptoms develop, to shorten the illness and prevent spread. Children with whooping cough should stay home from school until they have completed antibiotics and feel well enough to return.

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    Whooping Cough

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    Whooping cough is a serious lung infection that causes severe coughing fits and can lead to complications like pneumonia or brain damage. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs. Symptoms usually appear within two weeks of exposure. Vaccination is recommended, as is taking antibiotics if symptoms develop, to shorten the illness and prevent spread. Children with whooping cough should stay home from school until they have completed antibiotics and feel well enough to return.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    35 views1 page

    Whooping Cough

    Uploaded by

    David Hyland
    Whooping cough is a serious lung infection that causes severe coughing fits and can lead to complications like pneumonia or brain damage. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs. Symptoms usually appear within two weeks of exposure. Vaccination is recommended, as is taking antibiotics if symptoms develop, to shorten the illness and prevent spread. Children with whooping cough should stay home from school until they have completed antibiotics and feel well enough to return.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

    Should there be a case of Whooping Cough in your child’s classroom, your child may
    be exposed. If your child has not been vaccinated against it or not had Whooping
    Cough, then it is possible that he will get it.

    What is Whooping Cough (Pertussis)?


    Whooping Cough is a lung infection that can be very serious in young infants and in
    children with lung or heart problems or other chronic illness. The illness tends to be
    less severe when it develops in an older child or adult. It usually begins as a mild
    chesty cold which develops into a severe cough. It is recognised by the whoop that
    follows coughing spasms. These spasms help to spread the germs around. There are
    a number of possible complications including, pneumonia, seizures and even brain
    damage. The illness normally develops 7 to 10 days after exposure. The person will
    be contagious for up to three weeks after the symptoms develop.

    What should I do now?


    If you have any children in the house who have not received the full series of
    vaccines, contact your doctor or local health clinic to discuss vaccinations. Watch
    older children and adults for symptoms which usually develop about 1 week after
    exposure. Taking the antibiotic Erythomycin as soon as symptoms start can shorten
    the illness. This will also help stop the illness from spreading to other people.

    What should I do if I think my child has Whooping Cough?


    Arrange for your Doctor to see the child and confirm the diagnosis. Do not bring the
    child to the crowded surgery waiting room, as this will just spread the infection
    further.

    Can my child stay in school?


    Many children with Whooping Cough are too sick to attend school and are more
    comfortable at home. Children with Whooping Cough should stay at home until they
    have finished a five day course of antibiotics and are well enough to attend school.

    Your doctor and local health clinic will be able to answer any further questions that
    you might have about Whooping Cough and Whooping Cough vaccine.

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