Dimyana Abdelmalek, MD, asks for local health care community to be aware of highly contagious respiratory disease
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can be serious, especially for infants and young children. It is crucial for the local health care community to be vigilant in supporting timely vaccination as well as diagnosing and managing cases of Pertussis to prevent further spread of the disease.
If Pertussis is strongly suspected, health care professionals should refer to the detailed treatment guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Treatment typically involves appropriate antibiotics to help alleviate symptoms and prevent the disease's spread.
In addition to treatment, it is important to advise patients to stay home from work, school, or childcare until they have completed five full days of appropriate antibiotics. This is crucial to prevent the spread of Pertussis to others, as patients are considered contagious until they have completed the recommended antibiotic course.
Health care clinicians should also report cases of Pertussis to Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, or county where you practice, within 24 hours to ensure proper monitoring and control of the disease in the community.
By following these guidelines and taking proactive measures, physicians and clinicians can effectively manage and control the increase in Pertussis cases in the community, ultimately safeguarding the health and well-being of the population.
For more information, please refer to the communicable disease update, or contact Dimyana Abdelmalek, MD, MPH, 360-867-2500.
