Dealing with Pertussis

WHAT IS PERTUSSIS?

Pertussis, commonly known as "Whooping Cough," is an illness caused by bacterium that affects the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs). Complications may include ear infections, seizures, lung collapse, pneumonia, hernias and brain damage. Some severe cases can lead to death. Pertussis is an especially serious illness for children under one year of age. Pertussis has become more common in the United States and Colorado in the last decade.

HOW DO I GET PERTUSSIS?

Pertussis is spread by breathing in droplets of an infected person's cough or sneeze. Usually people become infected when they are in close contact (an arm's length away) or live with an infected person.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms usually appear within 7-10 days, but can appear from 5 - 21 days after exposure to an infected person. The cough may last several months. Symptoms occur in three stages. The first stage may last 1 - 2 weeks.

Symptoms include:

  • mild irritating cough
  • runny nose
  • low-grade fever

Second stage symptoms may last for 1 - 6 weeks.

Symptoms include:

  • severe coughing fits, sometimes with a high-pitched "whoop" sound
  • face may turn blue and vomiting may occur after sever coughing spells
  • the person may be very tired after coughing spells are over

Third stage symptoms may last 2 - 3 weeks.

Symptoms include:

  • less frequent coughing fits and gradual recovery

HOW LONG IS AN INFECTED PERSON CONTAGIOUS (able to spread the disease)?

  • WITHOUT treatment - contagious for up to three weeks
  • WITH treatment - contagious until they have had five days of treatment
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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).