Whooping Cough update

There are currently cases of whooping cough amongst the school community. We update and remind us all to be diligent, informed and aware out of a consciousness that we hold for the whole community, particularly the vulnerable.

    • Whooping cough is very contagious and can be dangerous to newborns and the elderly.
    • Coughing and sneezing spreads the infection to others nearby. Whooping cough can spread to any younger brothers & sisters at home, and anyone else in contact in the community.
    • Keep coughing children away from babies.
    • Whooping cough starts like a cold and progresses to bouts of coughing that can last for many weeks. Older children may just have a cough that is persistent and is worse at night.
    • If left untreated, it can spread to other contacts for up to three (3) weeks after the start of the infected person’s cough.
    • The infection can occur in fully vaccinated children.
    • In the spirit of our school community and in the knowledge that both the vaccinated and non-vaccinated can be diagnosed with Whooping Cough, we urge that if your child develops a cough, please seek medical advice and keep your child at home until a diagnosis of whooping cough has been ruled out or your child is well.

Do not attend work, school or a childcare facility if you or any household members:

    • Have a cough as described above. Please see your doctor.
    • Have been tested for whooping cough by your doctor and waiting for test results.
    • Are being treated with antibiotics for whooping cough for at least five (5) days after starting the medicine

Take some time to read the following so we can support each other in knowledge and foresight on behalf of our children and the elderly.

  • Children need to be able to be cared for when they are sick. To have to continue with daily life is a big expectation on our children when they are unwell or recovering.
  • If your child has sniffles, a sore throat, and/or cough keep them at home until their symptoms disappear and they are well again.
  • Time to recover is important.
  • If your child is unwell and you need to go out to the shops, bus pickup, etc. please cover your child’s mouth with a protective mask to prevent them from infecting others. Better still keep sick children at home in the warm and make other arrangements for your out of home chores.
  • Children with symptoms should see a GP. If your doctor diagnoses whooping cough, please let the school know and keep your child at home until they have taken 5 days of antibiotics or if not taking antibiotics, for 3 weeks from the start of coughing.

Further information and resources:
Anthroposophical: www.anthromed.org
Whooping Cough Remedy: Southern Swan Anthroposophic Pharmacy  http://www.southernswan.net.au/the-medicines.html 03 6295 1248
A Guide to Children’s Health by Dr Michaela Glockler & Wolfgang Goebel

For further medical information, click on
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/whoopingcough/pages/default.aspx