Whooping cough cases confirmed at Northeast Ohio high school, elementary school

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio (WOIO) - There is one confirmed case of whooping cough at Cuyahoga Falls High School and two at Price Elementary School, according to the school district.

Christine Stewart, coordinator of community relations for the Cuyahoga Falls City School District, confirmed to 19 News that the cases include a vaccinated high school student and two elementary school students who are siblings.

“Sometimes immunity just takes some time to build up. You are supposed to get a whooping cough vaccine around the age of 11 and then every 10 years after that. But some people’s bodies, when they get the vaccine, just don’t take it as well as they could and don’t produce the antibodies to protect themselves against it,” said Teresa Fletcher, the APP manager of Akron Children’s School-Based Health Center.

According to Stewart family members are being notified.

School officials warned parents and guardians that their student may have been exposed to whooping cough at the high school.

Fletcher says parents who learn their child may have been exposed should check for symptoms and review their child’s immunization record.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is an infection that affects the airways. Flecter says is more of Howley barking cough.

“After a parent finds out that their child may have been exposed to pertussis, they should check their child for symptoms and check their immunization record. If the child is exhibiting any kind of symptoms, so cough or fever, they should seek medical attention,” Fletcher said.

The bacteria that causes whooping cough can easily spread from person to person by coughing or sneezing, said school officials.

The severe cough can last for weeks for months and can lead to coughing fits or vomiting.

Fletcher says symptoms typically appear within one to two weeks of exposure. She says warning signs that require urgent medical attention can include:

“Persistent cough, difficulty breathing, something called retraction, so where the skin of the space in between your rib cage is sucking in and out, inability to speak in full sentences, things like that,” said Fletcher.

Young children and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of complications, Fletcher said.

While vaccination helps protect against whooping cough, vaccinated people can still get the infection. Fletcher encourages families to talk with their health care providers and check their children’s vaccination records.

“Check the vaccination status of your children and get them up to date if they are lacking in vaccination,” she said.

Fletcher also recommends washing hands frequently, staying away from people who are sick and keeping children home when they’re ill. She says she typically sees more whooping cough cases as the seasons change from fall to winter.

If your student is diagnosed with pertussis, they cannot attend class or participate in extracurricular activities until they have been on the appropriate antibiotic for five days.