PARENTS and pupils have been warned to watch for the symptoms of whooping cough following an outbreak at Nailsea School.
A letter has been sent home to inform families of several confirmed cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, among students.
It is an infectious bacterial disease spread by coughing and sneezing. Symptoms, which can start similar to a cold but may progress to prolonged coughing, can last for months but are not normally serious in teenagers and adults.
However, if left untreated, it could cause serious implications.
The letter from the Health Protection Agency warns parents that, if their GP suspects their child has pertussis, they should not return to school until they test negative or until they have taken antibiotics for at least five days if they test positive.
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