Oakwood schools confirm whooping cough case

A student at Oakwood High School has whooping cough, an Oakwood City Schools official confirmed Thursday.

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“We do have one confirmed case and are now following protocol which includes informing parents and staff,” Traci Hale, Oakwood’s Community Relations Director, said in an email.

An alert sent to high school and junior high parents reads:

“If your child has a cough or if you have any concerns regarding your child’s health, contact your child’s physician. If you or your doctor have further questions, please contact Public Health-Dayton & Montgomery County at 225-4508 or 496-7699.

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Oakwood City Schools will continue to monitor illness at school and take all the necessary precautions for keeping the school clean.”

The district also included a fact sheet on whooping cough.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a “highly contagious respiratory infection caused by bacteria. Pertussis is spread by direct contact with fluids from the nose or throat of the infected individuals, according to information sent to parents.

Early symptoms resemble that of the common cold, including runny nose, sneezing and mild coughing. Within a couple weeks, the cough becomes more severe and is characterized by episodes of “numerous rapid coughs, followed by a crowing or high pitched whoop” according to Oakwood’s accompanying fact sheet.

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