Letter warns parents of whooping cough

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) - Vista Ridge High School parents received a letter on Monday, warning them of whooping cough in the school.

At least one case of whooping cough, otherwise known as pertussis, was confirmed in the school. The Leander Independent School District said state law requires them to send the letter to parents.

"I'm scared for my daughter you know, I don't want her to get it," said Diane Hedayatifer, a parent.

Pertussis spreads easily. The bacteria become airborne when an infected person sneezes, coughs or even laughs. Pertussis mainly impacts infants younger than 6-months-old before they are adequately protected by immunizations and kids 11- to 18-years-old whose immune system has faded.

"They're coughing in fits," said Jennifer Jackson, Williamson County director of nurses. "When they have difficulty catching their breath, and that's where you get that whooping sound where they're trying to catch their breath."

Health officials said the best way to protect you and your children against whooping cough is to get vaccinated. The first symptoms are similar to those of a common cold: runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, low-grade fever. After one to two weeks, the cough gets worse and lasts for weeks.