MCDONOUGH COUNTY, Ill. — McDonough County health officials said additional cases of whooping cough have been reported in the West Prairie and Macomb school districts. A case was just reported last Tuesday at the West Prairie Junior and Senior High School.
The county health department said it's working with school officials and healthcare providers to help limit the disease's spread. Officials did not disclose the number of cases. Whooping cough, technically known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory illness.
Whooping cough can last for weeks or months in severe cases and can even lead to vomiting. Health experts said the disease usually starts off like a cold, with symptoms including a runny nose, low fever and mild cough. It's especially dangerous for infants and anyone with a weakened immune system.
Health officials said those who are vaccinated will likely experience mild symptoms but are still contagious when experiencing a cough that has not been treated with antibiotics. Additionally, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, whooping cough rates in the state are increasing. Officials said the best protection is ensuring your whooping cough vaccine is up to date.
Anyone with symptoms of whooping cough should contact a doctor immediately. If you're exposed to the disease, officials with the McDonough County Health Department recommend adhering to the following guidelines:
- If you have a cough: Stay home from school, work, and other activities or events.
- Make an appointment with your healthcare provider as soon as possible and tell them that you have been exposed to pertussis.
- If you have been told by a doctor that you have a weakened immune system, ask your doctor to prescribe antibiotics as soon as possible as a post-exposure prophylactic step to prevent pertussis, even if you are not currently coughing.
- If you have been exposed to pertussis and live with a woman who is pregnant, an infant younger than 12 months old or anyone with a weakened immune system, your healthcare provider should prescribe antibiotics even if you are not currently coughing.
