Longmont High School student diagnosed with Whooping Cough

LONGMONT, Colo. — A student at Longmont High School recently diagnosed with pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, has prompted Boulder County Public Health to send a letter to parents Saturday.

Officials say the illness is not related to the recent tuberculosis case from earlier in the year and does not put students at increased risk for developing a tuberculosis infection.

Whooping Cough symptoms may include Cold-like symptoms in the first week of illness, followed by a severe cough the second week of illness and continuing for up to three months.

Other symptoms include gagging or vomiting after coughing episodes and coughing at night.

The individual may look and feel fine between coughing episodes and
may not have a fever.

Boulder County Public Health says it is important to know that whooping cough can occur in fully immunized individuals.

It strikes older children and adults largely because the immunity gained from childhood immunizations decreases over time.

The letter to be issued to parents can be read here: http://www.stvrain.k12.co.us/news/2012021801.pdf