Education Sector
Key messages for schools, students and parents of students
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Immunisation against whooping cough is effective, so students are encouraged to be up-to-date with their immunisations. Parents should ensure young children and babies are immunised on time and that the first scheduled immunisations for babies are not delayed.
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If a student has any of the following symptoms they should see their GP:
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cough lasting more than two (2) weeks;
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sudden coughing attacks especially if they end in vomiting, breathlessness, or a 'whoop' sound.
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People with whooping cough are infectious until they have had antibiotics for five (5) days - or, if not treated, until three (3) weeks after the cough started. During this infectious period a student with whooping cough:
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should not attend school; and,
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take care, where possible, to avoid contact with women in the late stages of pregnancy (because of the possible risk to their newborns), babies and young children.
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Good hand hygiene is always beneficial and it is important to remember to cover your cough and not to cough on, or near, babies.
Useful links and documents
IMAC: Whooping cough information
IMAC: Information fact sheet for parents and caregivers
Ministry of Health: Whooping cough (pertussis) information
Ministry of Health: Whooping cough fact sheet for parents and caregivers
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