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Livonia Middle School Student Diagnosed With Whooping Cough

LIVONIA (WWJ) - Officials with Livonia Public Schools say a student has been diagnosed with pertussis — more commonly known as whooping cough — which can be spread through sneezing and coughing.

A letter went home with students at Holmes Middle School on Wednesday, reminding parents to check their child's immunization records.

"We are working closely with the Wayne County Department of Public Health; and although Wayne County protocol does not require we sanitize rooms, we are taking these steps as an extra precaution," school officials say in the letter. "...If your child is not fully protected against pertussis, please contact your doctor to have them immunized."

In the early stage, pertussis can resemble a cold and include sneezing, runny nose, mild dry cough and low-grade fever. Later, those infected may experience more concerning "coughing spells" that can last for more than a minute and result in a lack of oxygen. At the end of a spell, the child may make a high pitched "whooping" sound as they try to catch their breath. This is how the disease got its name.

Whooping cough can cause adults or teens to have severe coughing that leads to vomiting or broken ribs, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. They can be hospitalized for pneumonia and miss weeks of work or school. The CDC urges parents to make sure their children are vaccinated against the disease; and also ask a doctor or pediatrician.

Parents of children at Holmes Middle School who have questions are asked to call the Wayne County Health Department at 734-727-7078.

[For more information about whopping cough from the CDC, click here].

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