Wausau Pilot & Review
A Pertussis outbreak has been identified in Athens, west of Wausau, with several cases now confirmed, according to the Marathon County Health Department.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, can affect anyone and can be very dangerous for pregnant people, babies, and people with weakened immune systems.
Whooping cough is a contagious bacterial disease that affects the respiratory tract. Symptoms in the early phase are cold-like with mild cough and progress to coughing fits that may include a “whooping” sound and vomiting. The cough can last for several weeks to months. Symptoms typically appear 7-10 days after exposure but can occur as early as 5 days and as late as 21 days after exposure.
If you have cold-like symptoms, stay home from school, work, and other activities. See a medical provider if you have symptoms mentioned above or think you have been exposed to whooping cough. Individuals with whooping cough should be treated with antibiotics by their medical provider.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, babies can develop serious problems from whooping cough. If a baby or pregnant person has been around someone with whooping cough, it is very important to protect the baby and mother from getting it by taking recommended treatment from a medical provider. Babies with whooping cough can develop pneumonia, seizures, swelling of the brain from whooping cough, and may become very sick and need to be hospitalized. They can become weak and even die.
Vaccines are available to prevent whooping cough. The CDC recommends whooping cough vaccination for all babies and children, preteens, and pregnant people. Adults who have never received one should also get a Tdap shot. Talk with your medical provider if you have questions about whooping cough vaccines or your vaccination needs.
For more information on whooping cough, visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/pertussis.htm or contact the Marathon County Health Department at (715) 261-1900.
