|
Dear Parent or Guardian:
In cooperation with the Fairfax County Health Department, we are sending this health information letter home because a case of pertussis (whooping cough) has been identified at our school.
Pertussis is an infection caused by bacteria (germs). The illness begins with cold symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, fever, and cough. The cough becomes much worse over one to two weeks and includes bursts of uncontrollable cough which may be followed by a high-pitched whoop or by vomiting. The cough may continue for weeks to months. Pertussis can be treated with antibiotics. This disease can be serious for infants, young children, and pregnant women. Children are routinely vaccinated against pertussis (as part of the DTaP vaccine). The vaccine is very effective but protection decreases several years after the last vaccination. Fully vaccinated individuals usually develop a milder form of pertussis.
We recommend the following to help control the spread of pertussis:
-
Check your child’s immunization records. Children should receive 5 doses of pertussis vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages: 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months and 4-6 years. Please contact your health care provider to ensure your child is completely vaccinated.
-
For older children and adults, a booster vaccine known as Tdap is now available. This vaccine is recommended for children 7 to 10 years of age who are not fully vaccinated against pertussis, all children 11 to 18 years of age, and all adults. Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during every pregnancy, to protect the newborn from pertussis. Contact your health care provider to determine if anyone in your household requires additional vaccine.
-
Monitor your child for signs of illness. Even if your child has been vaccinated against pertussis, he/she may still develop the disease because protection from the vaccine may decrease over time.
-
Keep any child experiencing pertussis symptoms at home until you have consulted with your health care provider or the Health Department. We encourage laboratory testing for pertussis to confirm the diagnosis.
-
Keep any child diagnosed with pertussis isolated at home during the first five days of antibiotic therapy (i.e. he or she should not attend school, school functions, sporting or extracurricular activities, or leave the home except to seek medical care).
-
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Teach your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers may be used.
-
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw tissues in the trash after use. If tissues are not available, cover coughs and sneezes with your upper sleeve.
We encourage you to put this information into practice to help your child stay healthy and to prevent others from getting sick. If you have questions regarding this information, please contact your health care provider or the School Public Health Nurse, Lisa S. Yonika, RN, BSN, NCSN at 571-722-7275.
Sincerely,
Chad Lehman
Principal
|
