Unfortunately, we are again seeing cases of whooping cough in the north suburbs of Chicago.  Although most children have been vaccinated, the cases we are seeing are generally mild cases that are occurring in children who received their last whooping cough vaccine several years ago.  The high risk age groups include infants under 6 months old, and 8, 9, and 10 year olds.  Typical symptoms include cough, which is sometimes the only symptom.  Other symptoms may include fever, nasal congestion, fatigue, or headache.

If you are concerned your child may have the whooping cough, we will test them in the office to see if they do in fact have it.  This is done with a nasal swab that is sent to the hospital, and we typically have results within 24-48 hrs of performing the test.  If it is positive, your child will receive antibiotics, and the entire family will need to receive antibiotics as well.  In addition, typically, any child with pertussis is held out of school until they complete the mandated 5 day course of antibiotics.

Finally, if your child does not have any symptoms, but was closely exposed to another child who has pertussis (whooping cough), please contact us.  In certain cases, we may prescribe prophylactic antibiotics in order to prevent the development of illness in somebody who had a very close exposure history.

Yes, it is now officially February.  In years past, February is the busiest time with the highest number of sick children.  Currently, we are seeing many illnesses swirling around the Winnetka area and northern suburbs of Chicago.  These include Influenza A, Influenza B, Gastroenteritis ("stomach flu"), Parainfluenza (often seen as "croup"), Strep throat, Pneumonia, RSV, Ear Infections, Conjunctivitis ("pink eye"), and more... all of which means it is especially important to wash hands frequently, eat healthy foods, get enough rest, and cover your mouth if you are coughing.  As always, we are around if you have any questions!

Every four or five years, pertussis -- better known as "whooping cough" -- rears its ugly head and causes an outbreak of coughing illnesses.  Many days of school are missed, and many parents are worried about their coughing children, some of whom have pertussis and some of who don't.  Unfortunately, Pertussis has hit the Chicago area again in 2010, with outbreaks in several local schools.  Washburne and Highcrest are amongst those schools with the highest number of cases.
The CDC has a good overview of the pertussis infection.  There is also information on the local outbreak here, courtesy of ABC news.
In short, it is an illness that causes coughing that can last for weeks.  For most children who have been vaccinated, the illness is mild but prolonged; we rarely see full-blown cases of the classic illness anymore.  However, we do worry about the illness for family members who are especially prone to getting seriously ill from pertussis: newborns and other infants, and the elderly.  It is for these reasons that it is crucial to make sure everyone in the family is up to date on their pertussis vaccines.
If you have any questions about this illness or suspect somebody in your family may have pertussis, please contact your physician immediately to discuss.