North Hills Students Possibly Exposed To Whooping Cough

ROSS TOWNSHIP, PA - North Hills School District students could have been exposed to pertussis, the highly contagious respiratory ailment more commonly known as whooping cough. North Hills High School, North Hills Middle School and Ross Elementary School principals warned of the possible exposure in a communique to district families Friday.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After cough fits, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breaths, which result in a “whooping” sound.

People with pertussis usually spread the disease to another person by coughing or sneezing or when spending a lot of time near one another where you share breathing space. Infected people are most contagious up to about 2 weeks after the cough begins.

Pertussis is treated with an antibiotic (erythromycin). Students who are prescribed antibiotics for suspected pertussis can return to school following the fifth day of treatment. Parents with questions on the ailment to call their pediatrician's office or the Allegheny County Health Department at 412-687-ACHD.

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