Parent Letter Regarding Pertussis

This letter is to inform you that a student who attends Macungie Elementary School has been diagnosed with Pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough. This student is under the care of a physician. Helpful information about Pertussis can be found on the Centers for Disease Control websites located at https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/index.html  and https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/fast-facts.html

The Pennsylvania Department of Health provides the following guidance:

1. If your child is coughing frequently or experiencing coughing fits:
   1. Promptly contact your child’s doctor.
   2. Explain to your doctor that your child may have been exposed to pertussis in school and needs to be evaluated. If the doctor suspects pertussis, an antibiotic will he prescribed.
   3. A child with pertussis may return to school after taking an antibiotic for 5 days
2. If your child is NOT coughing:
   • You may consider contacting your doctor about your child’s possible exposure to pertussis. If your child has no symptoms, and your doctor prescribes an antibiotic as a precaution, your child may continue to attend school.

The best way we currently have to protect against the spread of pertussis is by being fully immunized. Here are the CDC’s recommendations:

If you are not sure that your family members are immunized as recommended, contact your health care provider. If you have any questions about this information, please contact your school nurse.