AS you were ringing in the new year, an early alert went out for students in grades 7-12 to be vaccinated for pertussis (whooping cough) before starting the 2011-2012 school year.

Starting July 1, these students will need to show proof of the Tdap booster, or they will not be allowed to attend school.

“Parents need to know to take in their kids now to be vaccinated,” said Dr. Karen Furst, the public health officer for San Joaquin County Public Health Services. a pertussis epidemic has been declared by the California Department of Health. “The biggest concern is that adults and older children might get pertussis and spread it to infants, who are high risk and it could be fatal for them. no student (in grades 7-12) will be enrolled in the next school year without the vaccine.”

There has been a recent increase in reported pertussis (whooping cough) cases — nearly 7,300 statewide in 2010 and 70 reported cases within San Joaquin County, including 10 deaths. According to San Joaquin County Public Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this is the highest amount of pertussis cases since 1947, when there were 9,934.

“We’ve had an outbreak in California over the last year,” Furst said. “We need to take this seriously. It is recommended that children aged 10 and older get the vaccine, along with adults. It is required that all students grades 7-12 get a dose of the Tdap booster. keep in mind that some emergency rooms and doctor’s offices are giving tetanus boosters that do not include the pertussis part, so it is important that you check with your doctor to make sure you get the Tdap vaccine.”

Information provided by Public Health Services notes that pertussis is highly contagious and is spread through coughing or sneezing. It usually starts with cold-like symptoms, such as mild fever, runny nose and a cough that slowly gets worse and doesn’t seem to go away. the cough can typically last for several weeks or months. “Whooping Cough” gets its name from the gasping sound that is made after one has had spasms of severe coughing, which could also be followed by vomiting.

Since pertussis is spread like the common cold, it is recommended that people cover their mouths when they cough and wash their hands often. Pertussis can be most fatal in infants younger than 6 months.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five infants who have pertussis will get pneumonia and one in 100 will have convulsions.

Most private health insurance companies will cover the Tdap booster, but you may still be required to pay your normal co-pay.

There are also several public health clinics that can provide a free dose of the Tdap booster. for San Joaquin County clinic locations and times, call 209-468-3831. for Alameda County, call 510-267-8000 and ask for their immunization department, or go to acphd.org.

For more information on pertussis and getting vaccinated, contact your local doctor or health care provider. you may also visit the California Department of Public Health Services at cdph.ca.gov, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov, or call 800-232-4636.

Be healthy and happy in the new year.

Contact Anne Marie Fuller at annemarietv@juno.com.

A student at Patrick Henry High School has been diagnosed with tuberculosis and may have exposed other pupils, staff and faculty to the disease, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency announced today.

The county and San Diego Unified School District are working together to notify those who have been in close contact with the student since the beginning of the academic year in September.

“TB testing will be provided for the school on Jan. 11,” said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county public health officer. “Testing is important for those who are at risk, in order to identify individuals with early infection before they become ill with TB. The good news is that TB can be treated and cured with medication.”

Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss. most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease, as prolonged close contact is needed to pass it to others.

This is the 190th case of TB in San Diego County so far this year. there were 229 cases reported in 2009.

Tags: Dr. Wilma Wooten, Patrick Henry High School, San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, san diego unified school district, SWRNN, tuberculosis

This entry was posted on Monday, December 20th, 2010 at 6:07 pm and is filed under Education, Health, Local News, News, Politics & Government . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.