USC School District Warns of Confirmed Whooping Cough Case

A child in the Upper St. Clair School District has a confirmed case of pertussis—better known as whooping cough.

Superintendent Patrick O'Toole sent a letter to parents last week after receiving information about the confirmed case from the Allegheny County Health Department.

There has been a rising number of pertussis cases throughout Allegheny County recent months.

Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes severe episodes of coughing which may make breathing difficult, result in vomiting and produce a high-pitched “whooping” sound when a person takes a breath. The disease is spread from person to person by tiny droplets from an infected person’s nose or mouth which become airborne when the person sneezes or coughs. Initial symptoms may appear similar to the common cold. Severe episodes of coughing start about 10 to 12 days later.

If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, if your child has not been immunized against pertussis, or if your child’s immune system is suppressed, you may wish to consult with your family health care provider.

If you have any questions regarding these matters, O'Toole asks you contact your school nurse.

This is the second case of pertussis in the school district this year. Another child contracted the infection in May.