››Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Information

California is experiencing an epidemic of pertussis (whooping cough). Pertussis can be a very serious disease for an infant, and adolescents and adults can spread pertussis without having any symptoms.

If you are around an infant you should be fully vaccinated to protect the infant and yourself. Adults and adolescents may need a booster, as the vaccine doesn't give lifelong immunity.

The disease starts like the common cold, with runny nose or congestion, sneezing, and maybe mild cough or fever. But after 1–2 weeks, severe coughing begins. Infants and children with the disease cough violently and rapidly, over and over, until the air is gone from their lungs and they're forced to inhale with a loud "whooping" sound. Pertussis is most severe for babies; more than half of infants less than 1 year of age who get the disease must be hospitalized. About 1 in 5 infants with pertussis get pneumonia (lung infection), and about 1 in 100 will have convulsions. In rare cases (1 in 100), pertussis can be deadly, especially in infants. (Information from the Center for Disease Control)

The California Department of Public Health now recommends a pertussis booster shot for all people 7 years old and older who are not fully immunized, including those over 64 years of age; women of childbearing age, before, during or immediately after pregnancy; and people who have contact with pregnant women or infants. The booster shot is in addition to the regular schedule of childhood and adult immunizations.

››Influenza Information

Symptoms:

Influenza usually starts suddenly and may include the following symptoms:

Having these symptoms does not always mean that you have the flu. Many different illnesses, including the common cold, can have similar symptoms. Those at high risk for complications include people 65 years or older, people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women, and young children.

If you think you might have the flu, please call Imperial Beach Health Center at (619) 429-3733 for advice on what to do.

Recommended Flu Safety Guidelines:

More information about influenza is available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms.htm

Imperial Beach Health Center sees patients by appointment. To make an appointment please call (619) 429-3733. A physician is on call 24 hours a day.