T/E Middle School Students May Have Been Exposed To Whooping Cough: District

The Tredyffrin/Easttown School District is warning district parents and guardians in a letter of potential exposure to whooping cough after students may have been exposed to the illness between Sept. 28 and Oct. 7.

In a letter to parents and guardians, the district said it was informed by the Chester County Department of Health that students in the middle school may have been exposed.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a bacterial respiratory infection that is highly infectious and can be spread in the air through coughing or sneezing, the district's letter reads. It also said the infection can be in a person's body for up to 21 days without the person showing symptoms such as coughing.

"It causes violent coughing that often cannot be stopped, followed by a whooping noise, vomiting, or turning blue," the letter says. "There is generally no fever. The cough is often worse at night and cough medicines usually don't help."

The district recommends vaccination as the best option to prevent contracting the illness. It said the Chester County Health Department offers free vaccinations to those who meet eligibility requirements. The district said whooping cough is most harmful to young babies and can even lead to death.

"Please consult your physician if you have any questions regarding your immunization status or your child's and if your child develops any symptoms of pertussis," the letter reads.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website to learn more about whooping cough.

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