We have had a student test positive for whooping cough. Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly infectious disease that is spread by coughing and sneezing.
The symptoms of Whooping Cough may initially be:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Mild fever
- Mild irritating cough
- Feeling generally unwell
Whooping cough can be serious for babies and children. For adults symptoms tend to be less serious.
Help stop the spread of Whooping Cough
Make sure all children are up to date with their immunisations.
Keep babies away from anyone with a cough and stay away from babies if you have a cough.
If you have a cough that won’t go away, see your Doctor or call Health line 0800 611 116
Immunisation
If you are in contact with babies under 1 year or pregnant woman you should consider vaccination with Boostrix. Students and staff in the Nursing programmes, Paramedic programmes or Early Childhood programmes should especially consider this if they have not had a Boostrix vaccine in the last 10 years. These are available in the Health Centre.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or queries at tracy.mitchell@whitireia.ac.nz or phone DDI 04 237 3130.
Tracy Mitchell, Campus Nurse