KETTERING — Whooping cough has been detected at an area elementary school.
A student at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Kettering has been told to stay home, and so should other students if they show symptoms.
A vaccine for whooping cough was made in 1914, but people today still catch the bacterial infection.
Students were back in school on Wednesday after finding out one of their classmates has tested positive for whooping cough.
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Parents and guardians received an email from the school’s principal warning that “Pertussis is a serious respiratory infection that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes.”
He said a school is the perfect place for the infection to spread.
The symptoms of whooping cough start off mild but can gradually become worse.
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The infection can lead to death for babies and young children.
From when the first symptoms pop up to kicking the infection, the CDC says it could take weeks.
Grandfather Steve Shupert thinks people should be vaccinated against whooping cough to prevent cases in the first place.
“I trust science, I take antibiotics when I get sick, I drive a modern automobile with chemicals and all sorts of modern objects in it— go get your vaccines,” Shupert said.
In the letter the principal asked parents to consult with their child’s doctor if they show symptoms, make sure they wash their hands, and don’t share utensils vaccinated or not.
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