Local schools see increase in respiratory illnesses

as we head into cold and flu season public schools are already seeing an increase in pneumonia and whooping cough and 22 news reporter Julia O'Keefe heard from the Westfield Public School supervisor of health and safety and learned how families can prevent these infections the Colder Weather brings people indoors more often which makes respiratory infections pass more easily from one person to another according to State Health officials pneumonia and pusis commonly known as whooping cough are spreading in Mass Massachusetts particularly among school-aged children and adolescents whooping cough is a highly contagious acute respiratory illness that starts with mild symptoms that develop into a severe cough or even vomiting I spoke with registered nurse Fawn St Pierre of the Westfield public schools and she says they're already seeing an increase in whooping cough and pneumonia infections what we're seeing is um students that are having um body aches fever um a cough the cough tends to be more um it can be more of a junky cough or a dry cough initial symptoms of whooping cough include a runny nose mild fever and cough that can become more severe these infections spread easily from person to person through coughing and sneezing while antibiotics can treat respiratory infection vaccines are the best way to prevent it Tdap or dap um is usually given to infants starting at 2 months old so um they can't get it before that and then you should get boosters every 10 years um once you're fully vaccinated um as a teenager Westfield public schools are are telling students to wash their hands often cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze sanitize shared surfaces and stay home if they're sick again vaccines are the best protection against infection so it's important to stay up to date with vaccinations if you or your child has any symptoms of respiratory infection contact your primary care physician for proper treatment working for you Julia O'Keefe 22 News