February 11, 2013

In this week’s What's Going Around we're focusing on pertussis which is also known as "whooping cough."

Dr. Steve Schmitz from Afton Family Medicine is providing our medical information this week and is treating more people for whooping cough.

The main symptom is a cough lasting longer than two weeks. The cough usually comes in spells and severe coughing can cause vomiting.

Most people get better in 3-4 weeks without treatment, but antibiotics can help to cure it faster and help reduce the spread. Dr. Schmitz says there is also a vaccination against pertussis.