Fond du Lac County – Fond du Lac County Health Department would like to make the public aware that there are currently 15 cases of pertussis circulating in our community. The Health Department is working with all of these cases and their providers to ensure they are treated with appropriate antibiotics and to minimize any exposure they have to
others in the community until they are no longer contagious. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that spreads from person to person through coughing, sneezing, talking or other close contact. Early symptoms may be similar to the common cold: runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and mild occasional cough. Later symptoms can further develop such as, uncontrollable, violent coughing that makes it hard to breathe. After coughing, someone with pertussis may need to take deep breaths causing a “whooping” sound. Vomiting during or after coughing fits is also possible. Infected people can spread pertussis up to three weeks after the cough begins if they are not treated with the appropriate antibiotics. Early treatment can reduce the severity of symptoms. The earlier someone starts treatment the better. If someone starts treatment during the first 1 to 2 weeks before experiencing excessive coughing, later symptoms can be lessened. Pertussis can affect people of all ages. However, it can be very serious for pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and babies less than 1 year old. If you are someone considered high-risk, please call your primary care provider or SSM Health Express Clinic to discuss early treatment/prevention options and testing if you are experiencing symptoms or have been around someone you suspect may have pertussis. With common cold-like and allergy-like symptoms, testing is the only way to know for sure if you or a loved one has pertussis. It’s important to call your provider or the express clinic beforehand rather than spending time in the waiting room as pertussis is highly contagious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccination is the best way to prevent pertussis infection. The DTaP (young children and TDaP (teens and adults) vaccines protect against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis. To check if you or your loved ones are up to date on your vaccinations that protect against pertussis, please contact your provider or check the Wisconsin Immunization Registry. If you have concerns or think you have been exposed, call your primary care provider immediately to discuss next steps. If you do not have a primary care provider, reach out to SSM Health Express Clinic at 920-926-8492 for more options.
