Third case of Whooping Cough confirmed in Kennewick
KENNEWICK, Wash. -- The Kennewick School District confirmed that several students have Pertussis, more commonly known as Whooping cough. The district planned to send a letter home to parents Friday to inform them of the situation and what to watch for.
>>Click here to read the letter from the district
The first two cases of Whooping Cough were at Cottonwood and Kamiakin, according to the district. Officials announced Friday a third confirmed case; this time at Desert Hills Middle School.
The district is working closely with the Benton Franklin Health Department to take the necessary precautions to prevent other students from getting sick. The health department said their biggest concern is for infants
Here are some of the symptoms of Whooping Cough:
- Cough, runny nose, sneezing, mild fever (cold-like symptoms) followed by a persistent cough. The persistent cough occurs in explosive bursts.
- In adolescents and adults, pertussis may cause only mild cold-like symptoms or it may appear as repeated “hard” or violent coughs. In some adolescents and adults, the only symptom may be a persistent cough, often worse at night.
- The “fits” of cough can be hard enough to cause sweating, exhaustion, bulging eyes, breathing difficulty, vomiting or gagging.
- The Pertussis cough may be followed by a high pitched “whoop” when breathing in.
- Between bursts of coughing, people with Pertussis may appear well.
