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A Sussex County high school announced that a “member of our community” has been diagnosed with whooping cough, more commonly known as whooping cough.
Thursday’s letter from High Point Point Regional High School does not specify whether the case involves a student, teacher or staff member.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection, usually spread by sneezing or coughing. It can cause serious illness in people of all ages and can be life-threatening, especially in babies. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The Department of Public Health and High Point nursing and administration are communicating to ensure the health and safety of students and staff,” Scott Ripley, superintendent of the High Point Regional School District, wrote in a letter addressed to parents, employees and others.
New Jersey requires the pertussis vaccine for all children entering sixth grade who are at least 11 years old.
“The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated,” Ripley wrote.
Ripley advised parents that if their child comes down with a cold followed by a cough, to keep them home from school and contact their doctor.
Whooping cough is known as “whooping cough” because of the whooping sound people can make when they gasp for air after a coughing fit, as described by the CDC. It can cause rapid, violent, uncontrolled coughing spells until all the air is gone from the lungs, lasting up to 10 weeks or more.
“The first symptoms are like those of the common cold, such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose and fever,” the New Jersey Department of Health said. it says on its website.
“However, within two weeks, the cough develops into more severe episodes of coughing spasms followed by a high-pitched “screaming” sound as the person tries to breathe. Whooping cough can be treated with antibiotics and prevented with a vaccine,” the state health department says.
Some people have mild symptoms and don’t realize they have whooping cough, but they can still spread the bacteria that causes it to others, including babies, the CDC says.
“High Point administration will continue to work closely with public health officials to remain up-to-date, aware and active in our efforts to ensure the well-being of everyone within the High Point regional community,” Ripley wrote.
More than 800 students attend High Point Regional High School, which enrolls students from Wantage, Branchville, Montague, Frankford, Lafayette and Sussex Borough.
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You can contact Rob Jennings at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.