UNC Asheville confirms 2 students diagnosed with whooping cough
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — University officials confirm, two students at UNC Asheville have been diagnosed with pertussis, also known as whooping cough.
The university sent out an email to campus on Wednesday, notifying every one of the cases.
Pertussis is an illness best prevented by the pertussis vaccine, however individuals who have had the vaccine may still contract it.
According to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), pertussis in the early stages appears to be nothing more than the common cold. Therefore, healthcare professionals often do not suspect or diagnose it until the symptoms are more severe. Early symptoms for the first 1-2 weeks include:
- Runny nose
- Low-grade fever (generally minimal throughout the course of the disease)
- Mild, occasional cough
After 1 to 2 weeks, the traditional symptoms of pertussis may include:
- Fits of many, rapid coughs followed by a high-pitched “whoop” sound
- Vomiting during the coughing fits
- Exhaustion after coughing fits
Individuals who have had the vaccine may still get pertussis, but the cough will not last as many days and the coughing fits will occur less often. Pertussis is treated with preventative antibiotics in order to prevent the spread of the disease. There is a laboratory test to confirm this diagnosis. It is important to note that babies are at greatest risk for getting pertussis and then having serious complications from it.
Pertussis spreads by coughing and sneezing or while in close contact with others who breathe the bacteria. CDC recommends practicing good hygiene by:
- Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze
- Put your used tissue in the waste basket
- Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands
- Wash your hands with often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Use an alcohol based hand rub, if soap and water are not available
If you have any questions, please call the UNC Asheville Health and Counseling Center at 828-251-6520.