254 Cases of Whooping Cough in the McHenry County

Nearly 254 cases of whooping cough has been registered at The McHenry County, according to the latest health department statistics.

According to Mary Ellen Howell, staff development coordinator for McHenry County, the actual number of cases could be much more as some illnesses may escape diagnosis or not be reported at all.

Whooping Cough / Pertussis - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - Prevention
Whooping cough is a respiratory tract infection caused by a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis. DPT vaccine helps to prevent the infection.

“When doctors are treating someone for pertussis, but that person hasn’t been tested, someone from the communicable disease department will call that person, interview him and try to confirm whether he has the disease,” Howell said.

School vacation may slow the spread of the disease although children who are travelling could still be potentially causing the spread of the illness outside the county.

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Source-Medindia

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