Officials at Harry S. Truman Elementary School report children may have been exposed to another case of whooping cough at the school over the past few days. It would make it the second case at Truman since the beginning of the year and at least the third in Salisbury Township School District since officials at Western Salisbury Elementary School reported students may have been exposed to a person with whooping cough last week.

Salisbury Township School District posted the following information on its Web site:

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious disease that is spread through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Pertussis begins with cold symptoms and a cough, which becomes much worse over 1-2 weeks. Symptoms usually include a long series of coughs (“coughing fits”) followed by a whooping noise. However, older children, adults and very young infants may not develop the whoop. People with pertussis may have a series of coughs followed by vomiting, turning blue, or difficulty catching their breath. The cough is often worse at night and cough medicines usually do not help alleviate the cough.

If you or child are coughing, promptly contact your physician. Explain to the doctor your child may have been exposed to a case of pertussis and you may need to be evaluated.

If you or your doctor has a question about pertussis, please call the Pennsylvania

Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH