We have been advised of a confirmed case of whooping cough (pertussis) within our school community.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection that spreads through coughing, sneezing, or close contact with an infected person.
Common symptoms include:
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Mild dry cough
• Fever
If your child develops symptoms, please seek medical advice. If diagnosed with whooping cough, they must remain home from school until they have completed 5 days of antibiotics, or for 21 days from the start of their cough if not treated with antibiotics.
Antibiotics help reduce the risk of spreading the infection, although they may not shorten recovery time. Individuals are no longer considered contagious after 5 days of antibiotic treatment or 3 weeks after the cough begins.
Thank you for helping us keep our school community safe and healthy.
For more information about whooping cough, please visit the SA Health website here – https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/infectious+diseases/whooping+cough