Pertussis in Pierce County
Pertussis can make adults, kids, and babies very sick.
What is Pertussis?
- Pertussis, or whooping cough, is caused by bacteria. It is very contagious. It causes a long-lasting, severe cough.
- Pertussis often starts with mild cold symptoms. Then it turns into severe coughing fits followed by gagging, vomiting or a whoop-like sound.
- Some people can develop life-threatening complications—like difficulty breathing, pneumonia or convulsions—that require hospitalization. Newborns are most at risk.
How can I stay healthy?
- Vaccination is the best way to prevent pertussis. Kids and adults should get vaccinated to prevent outbreaks, protect themselves and protect others.
What if I think I have Pertussis?
- Your health care provider can test with a swab and prescribe appropriate medication.
- Anyone with pertussis should isolate at home while on a 5-day course of antibiotics.
- You can return to work and school on the sixth day.
Respiratory illness season is here
- Get vaccinated.
- Vaccines are safe and effective. It is safe to get multiple vaccines at the same time.
- 2024-25 COVID-19 and flu vaccine are now available.
- Everyone 6 months and older should get an annual flu and COVID-19 vaccine.
- RSV immunization is available for older adults, pregnant people, babies, and some toddlers.
- It is especially important for people at high risk to get vaccinated.
- Other measures you can take to prevent the spread of respiratory disease:
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Wash your hands.
- If you are sick, stay home.
- For more information, resources, and local data on respiratory diseases, check out our website or read our recent blog on respiratory illnesses.
Vaccine resources:
Help us understand how tobacco, cannabis, vaping, and alcohol affect youth
Take our community survey to help influence what we fund and how we help Pierce County youth.
The survey is open to youth ages 13–25, plus parents and adults who work with youth of those ages. Questions? Email Hannah Snyder.
Register now for upcoming events in November
K-12 Health & Safety Workshop
Nov. 7, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Online and in-person options.
Puget Sound Educational Service District, Renton.
Register today.
Fall School Advisory Workgroup
Online via Teams Meeting, Thursday, Nov. 21, 1:30 – 3 p.m.
See agenda. Topics include:
- Rule revision update.
- Health and Safety Guide for K-12 schools.
- Infectious Disease Control Guide.
- New epinephrine standing orders.
- Playground surfacing during winter.
Review notes from our Spring 2024 meeting.
Questions? Contact our Community Safety Program at communitysafety@tpchd.org or (253) 649-1713.
teen Mental Health First Aid Winter Summit
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Clover Park Technical College | McGavick Conference Center, 4500 Steilacoom Blvd, Lakewood, WA 98499
Learn what’s happening to support the mental well-being of our teens in Pierce County.
- Hear valuable insight from a panel of youth leaders about Pierce County’s teen Mental Health First Aid program.
- Learn about prevention efforts across the county from our keynote speaker, Ashley Magnum from Kid’s Mental Health Pierce County.
- Join in collaborative workshop sessions about:
- Decreasing stigma.
- Resources for the whole family.
Meal provided.Register by Nov. 7.
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