Whooping cough sweeps the nation
Ben Snowden
Issue date: 11/17/06 Section: News
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Whooping cough, an infection with symptoms as nasty as its name, has recently struck locations across the nation in growing numbers. The reported outbreaks in Texas, Chicago and Indiana affected not only school-age children, but adolescents and adults as well.
Scientifically known as pertussis, whooping cough begins deceptively as it mimics the flu and the common cold. Patients experience fever and runny nose, but if the infection worsens, they experience uncontrollable coughing fits that result in harsh "whooping" sounds upon inhaling. Vomiting, lack of oxygen, production of excess mucus and exhaustion may also occur.
Fortunately, medical clinics around Macomb reported no cases of whooping cough within the past month. However, Dr. Christopher Stortzum, a physician at McDonough District Hospital's Family Practice, says that differentiating between pertussis and other afflictions presents a tough challenge for medical professionals.
"What's really difficult about whooping cough, actually, is making the diagnosis," Stortzum said. "For the first couple of weeks it's hard to tell the difference between it and just a regular viral infection."
The symptoms of whooping cough emerge about six to 21 days after the infection. Also, physicians have noticed some fundamental differences between pertussis and ailments like the flu.
"Usually, with the flu you have what we call myalgia," Stortzum said. "Those are just diffused muscles aches where you feel sore all over, and that's usually not present with the whooping cough."
If a Western Illinois University student does suffer from whooping cough, he or she can purchase a relatively inexpensive shot from Beu Health Center.
"Because there's been an upsurge (of pertussis cases) in high school and college-age students in the last 10 years or so," said Dr. Richard Iverson, the Medical Chief of Staff at Beu Health Center, "they have a new vaccine out that, when you get a tetanus booster, you get pertussis with it. And we have that; it's about $12 a shot, I believe."
Scientifically known as pertussis, whooping cough begins deceptively as it mimics the flu and the common cold. Patients experience fever and runny nose, but if the infection worsens, they experience uncontrollable coughing fits that result in harsh "whooping" sounds upon inhaling. Vomiting, lack of oxygen, production of excess mucus and exhaustion may also occur.
Fortunately, medical clinics around Macomb reported no cases of whooping cough within the past month. However, Dr. Christopher Stortzum, a physician at McDonough District Hospital's Family Practice, says that differentiating between pertussis and other afflictions presents a tough challenge for medical professionals.
"What's really difficult about whooping cough, actually, is making the diagnosis," Stortzum said. "For the first couple of weeks it's hard to tell the difference between it and just a regular viral infection."
The symptoms of whooping cough emerge about six to 21 days after the infection. Also, physicians have noticed some fundamental differences between pertussis and ailments like the flu.
"Usually, with the flu you have what we call myalgia," Stortzum said. "Those are just diffused muscles aches where you feel sore all over, and that's usually not present with the whooping cough."
If a Western Illinois University student does suffer from whooping cough, he or she can purchase a relatively inexpensive shot from Beu Health Center.
"Because there's been an upsurge (of pertussis cases) in high school and college-age students in the last 10 years or so," said Dr. Richard Iverson, the Medical Chief of Staff at Beu Health Center, "they have a new vaccine out that, when you get a tetanus booster, you get pertussis with it. And we have that; it's about $12 a shot, I believe."
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