What’s Going around

A bad cough, sneezing, and congestion: we try to avoid these symptoms at all costs but thousands of adults still go without the recommended vaccinations every year.

Studies show only one-third of adults take the flu shot during the season. And other more dangerous diseases are also being put on the back burner.

The most forgotten illness is chickenpox.  It’s not just for kids.  In fact, adults are 10 times more likely to be hospitalized when they have chicken pox than are children. the Centers for Disease Control recommends two doses of the vaccine if you’ve never had it.

If you’re 60 or older, you’re not off the hook.  one million adults get shingles every year. It’s caused by the same virus as chickenpox.  It stays dormant for years and can reactivate, causing severe pain. the shingles vaccine is recommended for all adults over 60.

Finally, whooping cough. For years one shot as a child was considered enough, but doctors say it’s becoming more of an adult problem.  Doctors suggest adults, especially parents, have one Tdap vaccine followed by a tetanus booster every 10 years.

Your doctor should review your status with you every check-up.  Blood tests can show if you need the vaccine for some types of diseases, but the best best is to just get re-vaccinated. Experts say even if you’ve taken the shot in the past, it won’t harm you.

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School and health officials announced Thursday the investigation of a possible case of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, at Western Middle School.

The case could also affect Western Alamance High School, as the student under examination rides a school bus shared between the middle school and high school. the number of the bus the student rides, as well as the number of students who share that bus, wasn’t available Thursday.

The student’s case hadn’t yet been confirmed by lab testing. Results of those tests are expected by early next week.

Health department officials had identified 84 families with children at risk of contracting pertussis and as of Thursday night had made contact with about 75 percent of those families, said health department spokesman Eric Nickens Jr. the remaining families would be contacted Friday, he said.

Students found to be at risk for pertussis will be encouraged to begin taking a course of azithromycin, an antibiotic. the cost of the drug runs between $14 and $45 at most pharmacies, said Communicable Disease Program Coordinator Ayo White.

This case isn’t believed to be connected to eight cases confirmed at and around B. Everette Jordan Elementary last month.

Alamance-Burlington Schools notified the Alamance County Health Department of the possible case Thursday morning. the student was in “close contact” with someone who had a lab-confirmed case of pertussis, said Dr. Kathleen Shapley-Quinn, the health department’s medical director.

The student’s age, grade and sex weren’t being released Thursday, health department officials said, though Shapley-Quinn referred to the student as “she” and “her” several times during a news conference Thursday afternoon.

The student, who has been vaccinated against pertussis, has been sick for about a week. Pertussis symptoms — including a runny nose and low fever that progress to fits of five to 15 coughs with no breaths between — can take as long as 21 days to appear.

An investigation into the possible spreading of pertussis will initially involve students who were within 3 feet of the individual for 15 minutes or more, White said. the investigation could expand if other cases are identified.

Pertussis is considered a major health threat to infants, who don’t have the lung capacity to handle the coughing fits. For older children and adults, the illness causes more discomfort than health risks, Shapley-Quinn said.

Students at Western Middle and Western Alamance have been vaccinated against pertussis but the vaccine’s efficacy can weaken as children and adults age and infection by the bacteria that causes the illness is still possible in some cases, Shapley-Quinn said. Children and adults are encouraged to receive a Tdap booster vaccination to help prevent the illness’ contraction and spreading.

The health department isn’t recommending that parents keep healthy children home from school. If parents are concerned that their children might be ill, they should contact their primary physician, Shapley-Quinn said.

Parents and families of students believed to be at risk for contracting pertussis will be contacted by the health department, said department spokesman Eric Nickens Jr.

Other parents and residents concerned about pertussis can call 336-516-7715 and speak to a nurse. Nickens encouraged residents to leave a message at that number if they didn’t get an answer and said that all messages would be returned by the department.

I caught whooping cough in may. it felt awful, i was being sick about 20 – 40 times a day, dry heaving and coughing so hard id sometimesz pee. (too much detail i know)
I am still coughing very hard, fluids are still coming out my eyes and nose when i do, im sick about once a week now, but its really wearing me out. I have been to see the doc again and he said "cougs do take a while to go" but this is getting ridiculous. I havent been able to run around with my kids because the slightest bit of excitment and im off doing the mad choking routine. Does anyone out there have any advice? or have you gone through it yourself…and how long did your symptoms last?

Get a referral to an allergist. If your doctor will not do it, go to the E.R. when your coughing symptoms are worse coz you will need a breathing treatment. I don't want to diagnose you, but sound like me when I finally developed full blown asthma….

Took me about 6 months but I was back at work after a few weeks. can be pretty rough.

I was living in a room that had mouldy walls from seeping moisture. it may have had something to do with it I don't know.

Hope you start feeling better soon, sounds awfull

I started coughing really badly for a few days now. Before that I have some symptoms and I'm just now reading about whooping cough. I'm just wondering if there's a good chance that I have whooping cough b/c unlike ordinary coughs, I've started having a little bit of pain in my left shoulder/neck. I've read a few articles but it doesn't say anything about shoulder pains only chest/breastbone pains are symptoms. Any ideas? thanks!

i have been sick from friday to today and i think i might have whooping cough. can anyone help me and tell me what the symptoms are????

HelloLife™ Home » Explore Home » Children’s Health » NCBI on Whooping Cough: Risk Factors, Causes, Symptoms

According to the Mayo Clinic, whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. this condition often starts like the common cold, advises the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Patients may experience runny nose or congestion and sneezing. after one to two weeks, severe coughing can begin. that coughing can make it hard to breathe, sucking the air out of the lungs until the patient tries to take a breath with a deep “whoop” sound.

Whooping cough is caused by the Bordetella pertussis or Bordetella parapertussis bacteria. According to the University of Wisconsin, this is a rod-shaped bacterium that triggers the body’s immune response. the immune system senses a cytokine reaction, which is toxic to the body. as a result, the body initiates inflammation of the tissues and blood vessels.

The Mayo Clinic explains that in the first half of the 20th century, whooping cough was a leading cause of childhood illness and death in the United States. after the first vaccine was introduced, the number of affected people gradually declined, reaching a low in the mid-1970s. Since that time, however, the incidence of whooping cough has begun to increase, particularly among children too young to have completed the full course of vaccinations. Teenagers and adults with compromised immunity are also at risk.

Two important theories explain the latest rise in whooping cough cases. the vaccine received in childhood eventually wears off, which leaves most teenagers and adults susceptible to the infection during outbreaks, which regularly occur. moreover, children are not fully immune to whooping cough until they receive at least three shots, which leaves those six months and younger at risk of contracting the infection.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), when an infected person sneezes or coughs, tiny droplets containing the bacteria move through the air, whereby whooping cough is easily spread among people. Once inside the airways, the bacteria multiply and produce toxins that interfere with the respiratory tract’s ability to sweep away germs. the Mayo Clinic indicates thick mucus accumulates inside the airways, causing uncontrollable coughing. Inflammation caused by the bacteria may also narrow breathing tubes in the lungs, which leaves one gasping for air.

The NCBI states infection often lasts six weeks and may require hospitalization. Initial symptoms often develop about one week after exposure to the bacteria. Severe episodes of coughing may start 10 to 12 days later. the whoop noise heard during breathing is rare in patients under six months of age and in adults. those patients may, instead, have deep fits of coughing. those fits may lead to vomiting or a short loss of consciousness. In infants, choking spells are also common. Patients may also experience a slight fever (102 degrees F or lower) and diarrhea.

Additional symptoms of whooping cough, as provided by the Mayo Clinic, include the following:

• Red, watery eyes
• Dry cough
• Thick phlegm
• Red or blue face that ensues from coughing
• Extreme fatigue

Sources:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002528

mayoclinic.com/health/whooping-cough/DS00445

cdc.gov/Features/Pertussis/

bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2007/wolf_bri2/

The health departments of Flathead, Lake, Confederated SalishKootenai Tribe and Missoula counties issued an alert Tuesday thatpertusiss (whooping cough) continues to  spread along the U.S. 93corridor.

In a press release, the departments reported 12 cases in FlatheadCounty, 14 in Lake County and four in Missoula County. Many caseshave been found in immunized school-aged children.

Although not 100 percent effective, pertussis vaccine remains theprimary means of preventing the illness, according to healthofficials. a highly immunized population increases protection foreach area.

To combat the disease, health officials try to identify cases earlyand  to provide preventative measures to people exposed to thedisease. Patients with pertussis should not go to daycare, school,work or public gatherings until at least five days after starting aprescribed antibiotic.

To prevent illness, health officials say those in close contactwith someone ill with pertussis should start treatment at the sametime as the ill person.This is particularly important for younginfants and other people at high risk for complications from thedisease.

County health officers urge anyone with a cough lasting more thanone week to consult their health care provider. Symptoms varygreatly depending on the patient’s age, vaccination status andstage of pertussis infection.

Infants and children with pertussis may cough violently andrapidly, over and over, until all air vacates their lungs, forcingthem to inhale with a loud “whooping” sound. Extreme coughing canresult in vomiting and exhaustion.

However, infants sometimes exhibit a mild or absent cough as wellas a pause in breathing call apnea. Health officials say manyinfants are infected by a family member or caregiver who is notaware of their infection with pertussis.

Adolescents and adults generally have less severe symptoms, such asa nagging cough. Symptoms appear five to 10 days after exposure butremain up to three weeks.

Health officers ask anyone with suspicious symptoms to stay homeand call his or her health provider since early treatment isimportant. they also urge residents to get vaccinated, especiallyparents, family members and caregivers of young infants.

For additional information about pertussis, contact FlatheadCity-County Health Department at 751-8101, Lake County HealthDepartment at 260-6315 or Confederated Salish Kootenai TribalHealth Department at 883-5541.

Press Release Source: Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine on Thursday February 17, 2011, 11:00 am EST

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — as part of the NBA Cares All-Star Community Caravan, WNBA Legend Lisa Leslie, Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Lanier and Clippers Forward Brian Cook teamed up with NBA Cares and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) today to bring Vaccines for Teens to the Los Angeles community.  Vaccines for Teens is a national awareness campaign designed to educate teens and their parents about the importance of vaccination against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.

To tip off the campaign locally, Leslie, Lanier and Cook appeared at Lou Dantzler Middle School in Los Angeles to urge parents of preteens and teens to discuss adolescent vaccinations with their family physicians.

Teens are at risk for serious infections such as influenza, meningococcal disease (meningitis) and pertussis (whooping cough). The basketball superstars and local community leaders agree that it is now more important than ever to help protect preteens and teens in Los Angeles area from potentially life-threatening complications of these diseases. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other leading medical groups recommend vaccination for preteens and teens against influenza, meningococcal disease and pertussis.

“Vaccination can help teens grow into healthy adults, and should be encouraged for the students at Lou Dantzler Middle School and for teens throughout the Los Angeles area,” said Leslie.  ”In basketball, the best offense is a good defense, and the same holds true for protecting teen health.”

Adolescent Immunization is more important than ever in Los Angeles

Although the CDC and other leading medical groups recommend vaccination against influenza, meningococcal disease and pertussis, immunization rates for prevention of all three diseases among preteens and teens remain unacceptably low in California, where only half of teens between 13 and 17 years of age have been vaccinated against meningococcal disease and pertussis.

Adolescent immunization in Los Angeles is a very important community health issue.  In 2010, 480 cases of pertussis were reported in Los Angeles County.  To help protect teens from pertussis, particularly in light of the statewide epidemic, the California Department of Public Health will require that as of the 2011-2012 academic year, all students entering 7th – 12th grades receive a tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) booster.  Meningococcal disease, which peaks during the late-winter months, continues to affect local families.  In 2009, Los Angeles County experienced 13 cases of meningitis, reinforcing the need for Los Angeles area parents to have their children vaccinated against this potentially deadly disease.

Additionally, with seasonal influenza currently circulating in the area, the CDC is encouraging preteens and teens to be vaccinated against the virus.  Between 192,468 and 769,875 Los Angeles-area residents suffer from influenza annually, yet immunization rates fall short each year.

“With teens in such close contact in classrooms and on school sports teams, these infectious diseases can spread easily from student to student,” said Felicia Scott, MD of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, and Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.  ”Vaccination is a safe and effective way to help teens stay protected, yet immunization rates remain low in this population.”

Teens and their parents can learn more about risk factors for getting sick with vaccine-preventable diseases, and the benefits of vaccination, by visiting vaccinesforteens.net.  

About Vaccine-preventable Adolescent Diseases

Immunization is critically important for adolescents because they are at risk for serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.

Influenza

Influenza is a viral infection that can become serious enough to keep teens home from school, sports and other activities.  It can sometimes result in a visit to their health care provider or even the hospital or lead to serious complications like pneumonia or even death.  Vaccination is the best protection against the spread of the influenza virus.  The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated against influenza each year.  This year, the seasonal influenza vaccine includes the 2009 pandemic H1N1 strain, so only the seasonal influenza vaccine is needed. Vaccination begins as soon as vaccine becomes available, usually in August, and continues into spring or as long as the influenza virus is in circulation.  In most seasons, influenza virus activity peaks in February or March, so vaccination throughout the entire influenza season is beneficial and recommended.

Meningococcal Disease / Meningococcal Meningitis

Although rare, meningococcal disease, including meningitis, is a serious, life-threatening infection that moves quickly and can lead to death within 24 to 48 hours of first symptoms.  Early symptoms may be similar to influenza, making it difficult for health-care providers to diagnose.  Currently, the CDC recommends that all preteens and teens 11 through 18 years of age be vaccinated against meningococcal disease at the earliest possible health-care visit – ideally, during the routine 11- or 12-year-old check-up.

Pertussis, Commonly Called “Whooping Cough”

Pertussis is one of the most common respiratory diseases in American teens and adults. it causes a prolonged cough that can last weeks or months and can result in pneumonia or hospitalization.  Teens and adults can spread pertussis to younger children, who can develop a life-threatening pertussis infection.  The CDC recommends a single booster dose of Tdap vaccine for people 11 through 64 years of age; immunity to the pertussis vaccine decreases over time, so teens who don’t receive a booster vaccine may become vulnerable to this disease.

About the Vaccines for Teens Campaign

The NBA and the WNBA are collaborating with the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) and sanofi pasteur on Vaccines for Teens, a national campaign designed to help educate parents and their teens about the importance of getting vaccinated.

About NBA Cares

NBA Cares is the league’s social responsibility initiative that builds on the NBA’s long tradition of addressing important social issues in the United States and around the world.  Through this umbrella program, the NBA, its teams and players have donated than $145 million to charity, completed more than 1.4 million hours of hands-on community service, and created more than 525 places where kids and families can live, learn, or play, in 22 countries on five continents. NBA Cares works with internationally recognized youth-serving programs that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes, including: KaBOOM!, Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, UNICEF, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

About the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine

SAHM is a multi-disciplinary organization of health professionals who are committed to advancing the health and well-being of adolescents. Through education, research, clinical services, and advocacy activities, members of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine strive to enhance public and professional awareness of adolescent health issues among families, educators, policy makers, youth-serving organizations, students who are considering a health career as well as other health professionals. SAHM members come from many different professional disciplines but share the common goal of better understanding the unique health needs and concerns of adolescents.  For more information on SAHM, log onto adolescenthealth.org.    

About sanofi-aventis

Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of everyone. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT:SAN – News) and in New York (NYSE:SNY – News). For more information, please visit: sanofi-aventis.com.

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of the sanofi-aventis Group, provided more than 1.6 billion doses of vaccine in 2009, making it possible to immunize more than 500 million people across the globe.  a world leader in the vaccine industry, Sanofi Pasteur offers the broadest range of vaccines protecting against 20 infectious diseases.  The company’s heritage, to create vaccines that protect life, dates back more than a century.  Sanofi Pasteur is the largest company entirely dedicated to vaccines. every day, the company invests more than EUR 1 million in research and development.  For more information, please visit: sanofipasteur.com or sanofipasteur.us.

— A confirmed case of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, has made its way into Zionsville schools.

the case was found in a juvenile student at Zionsville Community High School.

according to Bob Bostwick, Zionsville Community Schools executive director of human resources and operations, the case was confirmed Wednesday, Jan. 16, from a physician who reported it to the Boone County Health Department.

“we took steps to immediately notify parents of all medically fragile students and any students who have not received the pertussis vaccination due to medical or religious grounds,” Bostwick said. “we also heightened our efforts to disinfect common areas. It is important for parents and school personnel to be as vigilant and proactive as possible in combating all communicable health conditions.”

A letter was sent home with students on Feb. 16 that let parents know a case was identified in the school and exposure to some students may have occurred either in the classroom or on the bus.

Indianahas a state law that requires students starting school to provide proof that they are up to date on their immunizations for whooping cough as well as polio, diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and chickenpox, or show evidence they’ve had chickenpox.

A new state law also required by January vaccinations against meningitis, a second chickenpox shot and an updated shot inoculating children against whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus.

Exemptions are granted only for religious or medical reasons.

Cindy Murphy, head of the nursing and vital records division of the Boone County Health Department, said the immunization to protect against pertussis is not 100 percent effective.

“It is possible for students to get whooping cough even though they have been vaccinated,” Murphy said. “Unfortunately, we are seeing cases in folks updated with their immunizations, although it’s not common.”

the infected Zionsville student had been vaccinated.

Murphy said the vaccine is still being studied by the Centers for Disease Control to see why there are still cases of pertussis even with vaccinations.

“we encourage people to get vaccinated, but it’s not giving people the 100 percent protection we wish it could,” she said.

according to the Indiana State Department of Health, symptoms usually begin in 7 to 10 days following exposure, which can be spread by contact with nose or throat secretions from an infected person; symptoms last four to 21 days the first symptoms of pertussis are those of the common cold with a mild cough. after a week or two, the cough becomes more severe and may occur more frequently during sleep.

As the cough gets worse, it usually includes a series of coughs, such as coughing fits or spasms. People with pertussis may have vomiting following the coughing spell and have difficulty catching their breath, which may cause a whooping sound. However, adolescents, adults and very young infants may not develop the whoop. Generally, there is no fever with pertussis.

State health officials say Indiana is on track for the highest number of pertussis infections since 1986, mirroring a national trend in the escalation of the highly contagious respiratory disease.

Health experts say the rise in reported cases may be due in part to better diagnostic testing.

But they also point to the number of children who may not have been vaccinated against the disease as well as the number of teenagers and adults who failed to get the booster shots designed to keep their immunity from waning.

“Infants are the most vulnerable and they can die from the disease,” said Dr. John Christenson, director of pediatric infectious disease at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. “But teenagers and adults serve as the vectors for the disease, transmitting it to infants who have no immunity.”

Statehouse bureau chief Maureen Hayden contributed to this story

How does a person know if they have woughing cough?

its whooping cough and you'll sound like you are barking, it is persistent and hurts your throat. check webmd.com or call your dr.

reddish spots appearing on body that when a glass is pressed against them they donot disapear, if you even suspect whooping cough get to your g.p or hospital straight away

It can start off like an ordinary cold (catarrhal phase) for 7 to 14 days, but tends to worsen with periods of uncontrolled coughing. these are associated with a "whooping" noise during breathing in between bursts of coughing and often carry on until the child actually vomits. these episodes frequently cause the child to go blue and can be very worrying for the onlooker. between the periods or spasms of coughing the child seems fine. Often exercise or laughing brings on a spasm of coughing.

Attacks of whooping cough may last for six weeks or more and the reason that people worry is that there is a mortality rate, but this is low and happens mainly in children under 6 months. sometimes whooping cough may be complicated by brain damage or fits or pneumonia. When adults get whooping cough the diagnosis may not be quite so clear cut and it may just seem like a prolonged, irritating, cough.

If you think your child might have whooping cough you should consult your doctor