Conestoga HS Students May Have Been Exposed To Pertussis Earlier This Month

Tredyffrin/Easttown School District officials have warned parents of Conestoga High School students to potential exposure to pertussis, better known as whooping cough.

In a letter to families, the district said high school students may have been exposed to the illness between Jan. 4 and Jan. 13.

The district calls whooping cough a a "very serious respiratory infection," that includes symptoms such as coughing fits that can accelerate, becoming violent, and cause vomiting and a "whooping" noise.

Even children and adults who are fully vaccinated can still suffer from the effects of the infection, which can live in the body for up to 21 days before coughing begins, according to the school district.

Officials urge parents to bring children to their physician if they have a cough, and to inform the physician that the child may have been exposed to pertussis.

The essential DTaP and Tdap vaccines are available to health care centers and local doctor's offices. The Chester County Health Department Clinic offers free vaccines to individuals who meet certain requirements. See here for more information.

The district has seen several outbreaks of pertussis in its schools in September, October, November, and December.

Patch file photo