Six new cases of whooping cough were reported this week acrossSan Diego County with possible exposure to the public, includingone in Oceanside.

The confirmed cases this week included an 18-month-old childattending Pepper Tree Montessorri School in Oceanside. The otherfive children ranged in age from 5 to 17 years old and attendedschools in Del Mar, San Diego, Santee and Chula Vista, according tothe county Health and Human Services Agency.

This year, there have been 1,083 confirmed cases countywide ofpertussis —- better known as whooping cough —- almost threetimes the previous record set in 2005 and far more than the 143reported last year, the county agency reported.

“It is very important that both adolescents and adults —-especially those who take care of or have children in the home —-get their booster shot to help decrease the spread of thisvaccine-preventable disease,” said Wilma Wooten, public healthofficer for the county.

The California Department of Public Health declared a whoopingcough epidemic in late June after the number of cases statewidebegan to spike.

Across the state, there have been 7,297 confirmed, probable andsuspected cases, according to a report recently released by theCalifornia Department of Public Health, which says the infectionrate is the highest seen since 1958.

Whooping cough starts with coldlike symptoms, manifesting insevere coughing fits 10 to 12 days later. Patients drawing a rapidbreath after prolonged coughing can make a characteristic whoopingsound.

The cough can last for weeks or even months. The bacterialinfection is generally treated with antibiotics.

The disease is most dangerous for infants who cannot beginreceiving vaccinations until they are 2 months old. Immunizationshots usually are administered when a child is 2, 4, 6 and 18months old as well as when they are between 4 and 6 years old.Booster shots are recommended when they are 10 or 11 years old.Adults should receive a booster every decade to maintainimmunity.

Call staff writer Stacy Brandt at 760-901-4009.

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? More than 5,270 cases of whooping cough have been reported in California’s growing epidemic, which has killed nine babies this year.

This week’s report from the California Department of Public Health finds that the highly contagious illness hasn’t infected this many in the state since 1955, when 4,949 cases were reported for the entire year.

Whooping cough is a cyclical illness that peaks in number of infections every five years. Symptoms are similar to the common cold, making it a challenge to diagnose. a persistent cough that lasts weeks is the tell-tale symptom of the illness, which is also known as pertussis.

The bacterial infection tends to peak during summer months, but reporting lags make it difficult to determine if the peak has passed.

The number of incidence of whooping cough, also called pertussis, in California has forced the California Department of Public Health to declare a state epidemic. As of June 15, California had 910 recorded cases of the highly contagious disease, and five babies — all under 3 months of age — have died from the disease this year.

Mayo Clinic posted the whooping cough symptoms. once you become infected with whooping cough, it takes three to 12 days for signs and symptoms to appear. They’re usually mild at first and resemble those of a common cold:

* Runny nose * Nasal congestion * Sneezing * Red, watery eyes * a mild fever * Dry cough

After a week or two, signs and symptoms worsen. Severe and prolonged coughing attacks may:

* Bring up thick phlegm * Provoke vomiting * Result in a red or blue face * Cause extreme fatigue * End with a high-pitched “whoop” sound during the next breath of air

However, many people — particularly infants, adolescents and adults — don’t develop the characteristic whoop. sometimes, a persistent hacking cough is the only sign that an adolescent or adult has whooping cough.

When to see a doctor? Call your doctor if prolonged coughing spells cause you or your child to:

* Vomit * Turn red or blue * Inhale with a whooping sound

Share and Enjoy: