General News: Confirmed Pertussis Case Leads to Advisory
December 13, 2011
A student at Cornwall Central Middle School has been diagnosed with a case of whooping cough and school superintendent Timothy Rehm left a recorded message at students’ homes Tuesday evening saying that the Orange County Health Commissioner has issued a letter about the confirmed case of whooping cough, an infectious disease also known as pertussis.
Health Commissioner Jean Hudson says that pertussis begins with symptoms similar to a respiratory infection, with sneezing, runny nose and a low-grade fever and mild cough. “Within two weeks,” she writes, ”the cough becomes more severe, with episodes of numerous rapid coughs followed by a crowing or high-pitched whoop.”
The risk of infection is low for immunized people, and infants younger than one face the highest risk. Anyone with a persistent cough should see a physician, Hudson advises.
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Let me guess, some misinformed and misguided parent refused to immunize their child based on tinfoil hat internet "facts" about vaccines, and consequently put their child and many others at risk of serious illness.
Brilliant.
May I remind any anti-vaccination true believers out there that most adults these days lack immunity to pertussis, as our vaccines have long ago worn off. Given that we have a fairly sizable elderly population in Cornwall, exposing your unvaccinated child to the general population is not only irresponsible, it is dangerous.
posted by Ted Warren on 12/14/11 at 9:27 AM
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This is distressing, particularly since this is entirely preventable by vaccine. The benefits of the many should outweigh the needs and worries of the few.
posted by Ruthanne Schempf on 12/14/11 at 2:32 PM
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