OWEGO, NY (CortacaToday) — Whooping cough cases have climbed in Tioga County.
Public Health Director Heather Vroman says several cases have recently been reported. It’s described as a highly contagious bacterial infection affecting the respiratory system, and it’s spread through droplets when someone coughs or sneezes. Vroman adds whooping cough is especially dangerous for young children and people with weak immune systems.
Tioga County Public Health says there are several symptoms:
Early symptoms: Stage 1 – Early symptoms can last for 1 to 2 weeks and usually include:
• Runny or stuffed-up nose
• Low-grade fever (less than 100.4°F)
• Mild, occasional cough (babies do not do this)
• Apnea (life-threatening pauses in breathing)
• Cyanosis (turning blue or purple) in babies and young children
In its early stages, whooping cough appears to be nothing more than the common cold. Therefore, doctors often do not suspect or diagnose it until the more severe symptoms appear.
Later symptoms: Stage 2 – One to 2 weeks after the first symptoms start, people with whooping cough may develop rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits. These coughing fits usually last 1 to 6 weeks but can last for up to 10 weeks. Coughing fits generally get worse and become more common as the illness continues.
Coughing fits can cause people to:
• Make a high-pitched “whoop” sound when they are finally able to inhale at the end of a coughing fit
• Vomit during or after coughing fits
• Feel very tired after the fit, but usually seem well in-between fits
• Struggle to breathe
Vroman recommends staying up to date on whooping cough vaccines.
