A Holiday Elementary School student has tested positive for Pertussis and the child’s siblings are being tested.

A news release from the Christian County Health Department says the child has five siblings who attend Holiday, Hopkinsville Middle and Hopkinsville High School.

They have been tested for the illness more commonly known as “whooping cough” and those results haven’t come back yet. Health Department Public Information Officer Tiffany Bolinger says the child and the family had been fully vaccinated according to their medical records.

A letter was sent home with all Holiday students informing parents of the confirmed case and providing education on symptoms. Those symptoms include a runny or stuffed up nose, sneezing, mild cough and a pause in breathing at first.

After one to two weeks, coughing becomes more violent and the child often gasps for air. The coughing fits can last for up to 10 weeks.

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02/28/2013/am