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The District Health Department (DHD2) is urging residents to isolate and get treatment if they see symptoms of whooping cough after six cases were confirmed in Oscoda County.
DHD2 said whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a very contagious disease and is spread easily just by coughing, sneezing or touching things that are contaminated.
Whooping cough also can cause a severe cough that the DHD2 says lasts for weeks or even months.
The health department said whooping cough can be fatal for infants and people with weak immune systems.
DHD2 said the symptoms often start like a common cold and can take five to 10 days to appear after exposure.
Health officials said babies may not cough but may have pauses in their breathing which can make their skin look bluish.
Further symptoms can consist of uncontrolled coughing and possible vomiting.
“If you or a family member are experiencing symptoms that could be consistent with whooping cough, we urge you to isolate and seek medical treatment, especially if there are signs of respiratory distress,” advised Heather LeForce MSN RN, Community Health Director and Director of Nursing for DHD2. “If you have the disease and it is caught early, treatment can lessen the course of illness and prevent it from being passed on to others.”
Doctors said the best way to protect yourself against whooping cough is to get vaccinated.
“This not only protects the individual receiving the vaccination but works to build ‘herd-immunity’ to help protect those who cannot receive the vaccination due to age or other conditions,” according to the District Health Department (DHD2).
Doctors recommend the vaccine is to given to children at two, four, six, and 15-18 months of age with an additional booster at 4-6 years of age.
“Protection from pertussis is not at full strength until the vaccination series is complete. Also, protection from the childhood vaccine decreases over time so older children and adults, including pregnant women, should get a pertussis booster shot called ‘Tdap’ to protect themselves and babies near or around them. DHD2 encourages anyone who is not vaccinated against pertussis to receive the vaccination,” according to the District Health Department (DHD2).