Pediatrician gives advice on preventing whooping cough

Bishop Manogue Principal Bri larson says four students have come down with pertussis, better known as whooping cough, and while that may not sound like an outbreak, the disease is highly contagious

“It’s very highly contagious,” said Dr. Vanessa Slots, Division Chief of General Pediatrics at Renown.

Dr. Slots says it’s not something that anyone can get.

“It is something anyone of any age can catch, it starts off looking like a cough or a cold,” she said.

Slots says the real danger is with babies, and pregnant women.

“Vaccines are given to babies on their 2,4, and 6 month wellness visits,” she explained. “Then after that it is part of the tetanus shot people get every ten years.”

There are a number of symptoms to look out for with regards to whooping cough.

“Runny nose, cough, maybe fever and body aces,” she said. “They used to call it the 100 day cough because it could linger for 100 days.”

Bishop Manogue high school will be closed until October 28th as a result of the disease.