Whooping Cough Showing Up In Brainerd Area Schools

Sporadic cases of whooping cough are showing up at Brainerd area schools. Crow Wing County Public Nurse Manager, Joyce Mueller, is concerned, because Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, shows a spike every three to five years, and it has been four years since the last spike. She says it is not just a disease for children. Adults often don't treat the disease, but can pass it along to family members. Mueller says whooping cough can keep children out of school for up to three months. She is recommending inoculations for the kids, and tetanus booster shots for adults who haven't had one in the last 5 years, as a good way to avoid it.