Flu season is year round!

A runny nose, low grade fever (99-100), and a mild cough are the sugns/symptons of a common cold.  After 1 or 2 weeks, if the coughis persistent and ends with a high pitched whooping sound and vomiting, its time for a health care check-up. 

A persistent cough may be a viral cough called PERTUSSIS. Coughing attacks may continue for 4-6 weeks and more common at night.  Pertussis can lead to pneumonia, particularily in infants and small children.  If infected with viral Pertussis, symptoms may not start for 4-21 days.  If someone in your home has a cough 7 or more days. CALL YOUR HEALTH PROVIDER.  Your health provider will conduct a laboratory test to see if the cough is viral Pertussis.  Antibiotics will be prescribed to reduce the contagious period and relieve coughing.  If others in your house have been exposed to Pertussis, your health provider may recommend antibiotics because of the exposure.

Prevention:  Cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.  Use tissue or your sleeve, cough toward the floor.WASH HANDS after touching anything that may be contaminated with secretions from the nose or mouth. 

There is a vaccine against PERTUSSIS-all children, in Minnesota two months of age or older enrolled in childcare or school must be vaccinated against Pertussis or have a legal exemption.  There is also PERTUSSIS vaccine for adolescents and adults.