Whooping cough reported at North Little Rock school

NORTH LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — The North Little Rock School District tells Channel 7 News a case of pertussis, also commonly known as whooping cough, has been reported at one of its schools.

One case of the illness was reported at North Little Rock High School, according to Superintendent Kelly Rodgers.

Students in close contact with the infected person are required to be notified and treated, according to instructions given by the Arkansas Department of Health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the disease usually starts with cold-like symptoms and maybe a mild cough or fever. As it progresses, pertussis can cause violent and rapid coughing until the air is gone from the lungs and you are forced to inhale with a loud "whooping" sound.

If you have any questions about pertussis or think your child could be infected, call your pediatrician or the North Little Rock Health Unit at (501)791-8552.