CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Officials say a Providence High School student was diagnosed with Pertussis (whooping cough). Another student is also suspected of having Pertussis.
Students will be bringing home letters from the school indicating if they were exposed to the student diagnosed or the student suspected of having Pertussis.
The Mecklenburg County Health Department outlined some of the symptoms associated with Pertussis:
The symptoms may begin in 6-20 days and the cough may last for months. Infected persons are contagious for approximately three weeks after the onset of paroxysmal cough if not on the appropriate antibiotic. For the first week or two, symptoms are the same as a cold: runny nose, low-grade fever, watery eyes, and a mild cough, which worsens gradually. Within 1-2 weeks, the coughing episodes may become spasmodic (sudden fits of coughing) and a whoop (a high pitched noise heard when breathing or during coughing episodes) may be heard. Vomiting may occur after a coughing episode. This infection is more serious in very young children.
If your child or you develop symptoms of Pertussis, contract your physician immediately.
