Students Exposed To Serious Pertussis Infection, Tredyffrin/Easttown SD Warns

TREDYFFRIN, PA -- Tredyffrin/Easttown School District students may have been exposed to pertussis, a "very serious respiratory infection," officials warned.

The exposure would have occurred between November 29 and December 2. Symptoms include a coughing fit that can accelerate to become violent and cause vomiting and a "whooping" noise, officials said. Pertussis is also known as whooping cough.

The school district confirmed that a student at Valley Forge Middle School has been diagnosed with pertussis. Parents of students at both Valley Forge and Conestoga High School were sent letters apprising them of the situation.

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.

Image courtesy Tredyffrin/Easttown School District.