Signs of pertussis? See your doctor

The Bear River Health Department is encouraging residents of northern Utah with signs and symptoms of whooping cough to see their doctor.

Signs and symptoms of whooping cough, also called pertussis, are similar to influenza. Fever and body aches, with the addition of severe cough and coughing spasms that may lead to vomiting are symptoms of the highly contagious bacterial infection.

The infection is spread by respiratory droplets, such as coughing and sneezing. If untreated, it can be spread from one person to another for three weeks.

A Box Elder County resident was diagnosed with the disease earlier this week, and further investigation by the Health Department revealed that several people in the area have signs and symptoms. Possible cases in Weber County were investigated Thursday.

Numbers of cases are much higher in Utah this year, according to Leona Goodsell, who oversees the Bear River Health Department's infectious disease control program.

Childhood immunizations are usually delivered through a combination of routine vaccines for diphtheria and tetanus. But there is no immunization for adults. Adults and unimmunized children are particularly at risk, and it can be fatal for children under the age of 1.

Antibiotics will not shorten the disease. It could last for a few months and symptoms may be milder in adults.

Diagnosed cases of whooping cough should be reporter to the Health Department at 435-734-0845 or 435-792-6500. For information, visit www.brhd.org.