November
16, 2015
Dear
Parents and Guardians:
This
letter is to inform you that a student at our school has been diagnosed with
whooping cough (also called pertussis). Pertussis is a contagious illness that
is spread through coughing and sneezing. It begins with mild cold-like symptoms
which appear 7-21 days after a person is exposed. Please see the attached fact
sheet from Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) for specific information on
what symptoms to watch for, which persons are most at risk of serious disease,
and preventive measures. Additionally, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page on pertussis can be found
at http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-73971_4911_4914-240419--,00.html. Also, see
attached form.
In
accordance with the CDC’s recommendations students who are immunocompromised or
have moderate to severe medically treated asthma, or who live with or have
close contact with an infant under 12 months old, a pregnant woman or anyone
with a weakened immune system should contact their physician. These
students should begin preventive antibiotics regardless of symptoms or
vaccination status.
Please
discuss this recommendation with your physician.
Please
watch your child for any symptoms of pertussis over the next several
weeks. If you notice any of these symptoms, your child should be kept at
home and contact your physician immediately, as early treatment with
antibiotics may reduce the severity of disease and will reduce the spread.
Quick identification of suspected cases can reduce any further exposure within
our school and encourages timely medical evaluation and treatment. Vaccines
that protect against pertussis are available and one of the best ways to
prevent infection. Please review your child’s vaccination history to ensure
they are current.
Sincerely,
Embekka Thompson
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