Health department issues whooping cough warning
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Monday, May 2, 2016
NUNAVUT
The territorial Department of Health is warning parents to be on the lookout for whooping cough.
Parents of babies and young children should be especially wary, according to a news release, because whooping cough is a disease of the throat and lungs that is spread very easily from person to person.
"There has been one case of whooping cough (pertussis) in the territory," stated the department's communications specialist, Ron Wassink.
"Anyone can get whooping cough, but the most severe cases are in children under the age of one."
Symptoms to watch for are low fever, mild cough that develops into a rapid cough followed by a "whoop," vomiting after coughing and coughing that is worse at night.
Precautions include frequent hand-washing, coughing into your sleeve or tissue, and not sharing food, drinks, utensils or toothbrushes.
"Early diagnosis and treatment is important. Go to your local health centre or Public Health if anyone in your household has a cough that lasts more than one week," said Wassink.
The department notes the illness is preventable through vaccination and parents should ensure all vaccinations are up to date.
