Pertussis confirmed at Greenville County school

State health officials have confirmed a case of pertussis at Lake Forest Elementary School in Greenville and say that anyone at the school between Sept. 17 and 18 may have been exposed.

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease marked by uncontrollable, violent coughing often followed by a whooping sound as the sufferer tries to take a deep breath, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While it can affect anyone, it's most serious and even deadly for infants less than a year old, the agency reports.

The cough can last for weeks or months, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, and can also be dangerous for people with lung diseases and weakened immune systems.

Although adults and adolescents can have milder symptoms, they can still spread the infection, DHEC reports.

DHEC sent a letter to Lake Forest parents on Tuesday advising them that anyone exposed should contact a health care provider if she is pregnant, an infant younger than 12 months, has a weakened immune system or severe lung disease, or lives with someone in any of those categories.

And any exposed person who develops a cough within three weeks should stay home from group activities such as work, school, sports, playgroups, shopping, church and other areas where they might spread the disease, the agency said.

Those prescribed antibiotics for pertussis should stay home for at least five days, according to DHEC.

Vaccination - via DTaP and the Tdap booster - is the best way to prevent pertussis, DHEC said.