Parents Warning: Whooping Cough Case on the Darling Downs

Westbrook School


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A warning notice has been issued to staff and parents of children attending a Westbrook school after a case of whooping cough was discovered at the school.

The Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service have sent out the advice to all concerned at the Bunkers Hills State School.

The letters explain what to look out for, how to prevent it and what to do if someone gets sick, whooping cough can affect anyone of any age.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection – signs and symptoms include:

 

The illness often begins with cold-like symptoms:

  • runny nose
  • sore watery red eyes
  • low-grade fever
  • general unwellness.

However, these symptoms are not present in all people.

After 3 to 7 days, a dry cough develops:

  • the cough is usually present for many weeks and may last for months
  • the cough is classically paroxysmal, that is, a prolonged fit of coughing occurs
  • frequently, the coughing is immediately followed by a deep breath in, resulting in the typical whoop – hence the name ‘whooping cough’ – but some people do not whoop
  • the cough may be followed by vomiting.

A vaccine for whooping cough, which is provided through the National Immunisation Program. 

 

 Catch up here!

2 March 2018




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