Whooping cough endangers children

County health officials are reporting an increase in the number of pertussis, or whooping cough. Pertussis can be fatal for infants one year or younger.

Parents of children with a severe cough lasting more than one week should contact their doctor. The disease is preventable by DTP or DTaP vaccine and officials are urging parents with children under 7 years to make sure their children are up to date on immunizations.

Pertussis is a bacterial disease involving the respiratory tract that can be difficult to diagnose. It begins with an irritating cough and little or no fever. The cough progresses and becomes more frequent and violent and may last one to two months or longer.

Coughs may end with the expulsion of clear mucous and vomiting. It is more severe in younger children and babies. Pertussis may vary in severity in adolescents and adults, and can be spread to children by adults.

Babies under one year may or may not exhibit coughing symptoms, but can turn blue and stop breathing, sometimes experiencing seizures.

The incubation period may range from 7 to 14 days, and is the most contagious in the first one to two weeks of coughing. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent further spread of the disease.

Proper immunization can save a child's life, and clinics are offered through the county health department on a regular basis. For further information on the disease and its prevention and for information on immunization clinics, contact the Deschutes County Health Department at 388-6616.