The Douglas County Health Department alerted parents of students attending Highlands Ranch High School that their children may have been exposed to pertussis, also known as whooping cough, in a Thursday release.
The release did not state a cause for the exposure, but Douglas County Health Department advises parents to monitor their children for symptoms, as pertussis can be severe, especially in children who have not received three doses of the vaccine, according to the release. Vaccinated individuals can still get sick but symptoms are usually less severe.
Symptoms can appear as soon as four days after exposure but could take up to 21 days. Pertussis begins with mild coughing, a runny nose and a low fever but can escalate to more severe symptoms within one to two weeks, according to the release.
Coughing fits may be accompanied by a high-pitched “whooping” sound and may lead to vomiting in some patients.
Douglas County Health Department urges parents to have students with symptoms tested with a nasal swab by a health care provider.
If diagnosed with pertussis, the department recommends that students be placed on antibiotics and be kept home and away from crowded places until they complete a five-day cycle, according to the release.
Anyone with questions about the exposure can contact Fallon Simmons, an epidemiologist at the Douglas County Health Department, at 720-643-2481.
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