Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on Nov. 16.
Outbreaks of the highly contagious disease pertussis, or whooping cough, occur every few years and should be taken seriously. The Illinois Department of Public Health reports a recent increase in cases, especially in young children and adolescents. The infection can cause serious illness in people of all ages, but can be particularly life-threatening in infants.
Morris Hospital Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Bolden said pertussis affects the cilia in the upper respiratory tract and causes violent, uncontrollable coughing. The coughing spasms can be lengthy, followed by deep gulps of air. It’s the swollen respiratory passages that make the deep inhalations sound like a high-pitched whoop that give the disease its name. The coughing is so severe that it can break ribs or cause a person to pass out. Read the full article.
Original source can be found here.
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