Attention Parents!

An epidemic has hit South Dakota and it may be affecting our infants,
children and elderly. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough is spreading and spreading fast.
Pertussis is an extremely contagious upper respiratory tract infection caused by a bacteria known
as Bordetella Pertussis. This bacteria grows and wreaks havoc in your nose, mouth, and throat
causing violent coughing spells that can last six to twelve weeks. If untreated; especially in
infants and young children death can occur. We want to stop the spread of this horrible disease,
protect our families and the general population. These following steps are going to help prevent
the public from exposure to this disease, what to do incase such exposure occurs, and what to do
after exposure.
All infants, children, and teens need to be vaccinated with the DTaP (Diphtheria, tetanus,
acellular pertussis) vaccine. The South Dakota Department of Health (SDDH) and the American
Academy of Pediatrics states receiving and maintaining vaccinations is the single most
preventative way to control exposure in the community. Here is what the vaccination process
should be like according to the SDDH.
The pertussis vaccine is usually given in combination with diphtheria
and tetanus. There are two types of pertussis vaccine: DTaP and Tdap.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices recommend that DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus,
acellular pertussis) vaccine be given at 2, 4, 6 and 15 months of age and
between 4 and 6 years of age and adolescents 11 - 12 years of age
should receive a single dose of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis
vaccine) instead of Td (Tetanus, Diphtheria) vaccine.
Furthermore, women who are pregnant should also get vaccinated with the DTaP vaccine
when they are in their third trimester (between 27 -36 weeks). Finally, any adult with no prior
knowledge of their vaccination records or has never received the vaccine should be given a
single dose of DTaP and every ten years. South Dakota schools and the SDDH also require that
upon a childs first year of school a series of immunizations needs to be completed. One of these
required immunizations is the three shot DTaP series. The first of three is DTaP serum, the
second and third are Td (tetanus booster) serum, these should be taken six months apart from
each other. All an all four doses of DTaP vaccine must be givin to a child, including one
immunization be by the age of four before entering any school.
Another way families and the community can keep from exposure to this disease is to
stay clear from those who are sick. How do you know if there infected or not? Common first
symptoms of pertussis are flu-like to common cold. Pertussis is spread by nasal and droplet
exposure. People that are coughing should be reminded to cover their mouth. Frequent nasal
drainage is also an increased risk of exposure. Avoid these people at all cost! The public also
should be reminded to wash their hands frequently to prevent further spreading, especially after
contact with all or any bodily secretions.

Now, lets say a family member has been exposed and contracted pertussis. If that
someone is anywhere from infant to pre-teen; again, especially under one year of age seek
medical attention immediately.


The Center for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed and reported in 2012,
The majority of deaths occurred among infants younger than 3 months
of age. The incidence rate of pertussis among infants exceeded that of
all other age group. The second highest rates of disease were observed
in children 7 through 10 years old. Rates increased in adolescents 13
and 14 years of age.
Once a positive diagnosis is confirmed, treatment will be provided by a physician
according to the severity of the disease. Prophylactic antibiotics will be administered, the most
common antibiotics consist of Azithromycin (Zithromax) and Erythromycin. Alternative
antibiotics like trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) are for those with allergies.
Persons confirmed with pertussis should be kept in isolation for approximately fifteen to twenty
days to prevent spreading the disease to anyone else. If contact needs to be made with someone
who has a confirmed case, a medical mask must be worn at all times and frequent hand washing
must be done. Most importantly, immediate treatment must be taken seriously and be strictly
applied and followed as the physician has planned.

Lastly, in order for a full recovery and to further protect the community and families from
getting infected with Pertussis is to get vaccinated! For your infants, children and teens the DtaP
or Tdap vaccine is the most effective because its a 3in1serum.This vaccine not only has
Pertussis but the Diphtheria and Tetanus disease as well. Vaccinations should be closely
monitored and kept up to date for effectiveness and future protection. Adults and elderly should
be encouraged to get the DtaP vaccine every ten years instead of just the Td (tetanus booster).
If signs and symptoms do occur, seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY! The faster any
person who might have been exposed to pertussis and receives medical treatment promptly will
greatly reduce the spread of this infectious disease. Hand washing! We all know this is among
the number one rule in preventing the spread of any bacteria. When hands are properly washed
99.9% of all foreign bodies festering in a persons hands can be washed clean. Practice this daily.
The safety of communities depends on the families everywhere to be educated on this disease
and how its spreads as well. Knowledge is power! Keeping an updated status on any outbreaks
or epidemics in ones community is of the up most importance.

With this information, anyone that might or has come into contact with pertussis should
be able to properly prepare for a prevention plan (including consulting local physicians,
discussing vaccination plans, and referring to SDDH for epidemic warnings), what to do if faced
with a positive diagnosis and seeking medical treatment, and how to further prevent this horrible
epidemic from further spreading (keeping your vaccinations up to date, hand hygeine and
education). The DTaP vaccine is the only vaccine-preventable way to keep infants, children,
teens, adults and elders safe from pertussis. Vaccinations saves lives, and not getting vaccinated
greatly increases a persons risk for exposure, their families and the communities they live in.
Getting vaccinated is a personal choice, but think of it this wayHow many lives do you want to
save today?


Self-Reflection Essay
1.) What is the rhetorical situation (audience, context, purpose) of your essay?
The purpose of my essay is to inform parents on the epidemic of pertussis. How to
prevent exposure, what to do if exposure occurs and the medical treatment available, and
what to do after exposure to further protect yourself and others around you.
2.) Has your essay fulfilled the purpose of the assignment? Explain.
I do believe my essay has met the requirements. I wanted to give brief but precise
information to the readers. Giving just enough detail to inform my audience how serious
the epidemic can be, but also not try to scare them into thinking that it cant be stopped.
3.) What did you think are the strengths of this essay?
My strengths is all of my information is rock solid and comes from credible sources
making it more believable and concrete.
4.) What problems did you face while writing this essay?
Well besides totally turning it in late, figuring out that I dont really sound so smart on
paper. The conclusion was the hardest to write. I felt like all I was doing was re-writing
everything I just wrote. It doesnt make much sense to me.
5.) What solutions did you find for those problems?
Well I looked on-line and I read the conclusion hand out that you (Dr. Greer) gave us in
class. After that I just improvised and I hope its right.
6.) What did you learn from this assignment?
Writing is difficult for me still and I need to focus more. Turn my stuff in on time!!!! Its
just hard to find a groove and stay with it.
Work Cited
South Dakota Department of Health (2012) Retrieved June 10
,
2014 from
https://doh.sd.gov/disease/infections/diseasefacts/pertussis.aspx
The Center for Disease Control (2013) Retrieved June 10, 2014 from
http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/index.html