Whooping Cough Warning Issued For Oakland County As Cases Surge

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — People of Oakland County, be on high alert for pertussis AKA whooping cough. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Oakland County Health Division recently issued a health advisory for Oakland County amid a jump in the number of whooping cough cases, according to a press release.

“The State of Michigan is reporting an increase in pertussis, especially in childcare and preschool settings where children are not old enough to have received the complete five doses of vaccine to be fully immunized,” Kathy Forzley, health officer at the Health Division, said in a statement. She continued, “Antibiotics are effective in treating pertussis symptoms as well as reduce the risk of a person who has been exposed to pertussis from spreading the disease to others.”

So, what exactly is whooping cough? It's a bacterial infection that causes violent coughing spells. As the person gasps for air in between coughing fits, a "whooping" sound is created. Whooping cough is easily spread by coughing and sneezing and it starts with symptoms like a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, and mild cough. Fast forward two weeks, and the "whooping" sound cough begins, which can last months. Anyone is at risk of developing whooping cough, however babies and children who have not been fully vaccinated against it face a significantly higher risk of developing a severe case of the illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that babies under 1-year-old who develop whooping cough may suffer seizures and brain damage.

How do you fight it? The Oakland County Health Division suggests that if you've been exposed to whooping cough, see a doctor to determine if you need antibiotics to treat it.

And the most effective way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated. Ask your doctor about getting the pertussis vaccine or you can get it at the Health Division walk-in clinics in Pontiac and Southfield. Hours are Noon to 8:00 p.m. on Mondays and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.

Below are the addresses:

• North Oakland Health Center, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 34 East, Pontiac
• South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield

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