Just like in the spring, pertussis – more commonly known as whooping cough – cases are on the rise in Buncombe County and all across the state, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control.
On September 24, Buncombe County Health and Human Services issued a public health alert in response to a multi-school outbreak of whooping cough spreading across the county. Currently, 18 cases have been confirmed since August 12, Buncombe County Health and Human Services reported, and many cases are still under investigation.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection that spreads through coughs and sneezes. Often, early symptoms are mild, like a common cold, and can include the following:
- Runny nose
- Low fever
- Sneezing
- Mild cough
According to the CDC, symptoms after one to two weeks can quickly worsen and last for months. They include bad coughing attacks that may lead to the following:
- A “whoop” sound
- Vomiting
- Problems breathing
- Difficulty sleeping
- Extreme tiredness
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ADDITIONAL LINKS OF INTEREST
Cases of Whooping Cough Spiking in US, Especially Among Unvaccinated Teens