Whooping cough confirmed at elementary school

That's why the superintendent and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District are teaming up to educate students and parents about the illness. They sent out letters to everyone Tuesday. 

The letter says whooping cough, also known as pertussis, starts off similarly to a cold. Symptoms include runny nose, fever and sneezing but become more severe a week or two later. People will then start to experience rapid coughs that could cause them to turn blue or throw up.

The best way to prevent getting the illness is through vaccinations but even people who have gotten the shot can still get sick. The symptoms just won't be as bad. 

The school nurse says the sick student has been treated and is staying at home. Public health recommends that people with the illness stay home at least five days after starting an antibiotic. 

When it comes to vaccinating your children against whooping cough, the requirements just changed last year. Now kids have to get a booster before going into 6th and 9th grades.

That's because the original shot was wearing off. It also means that adults and elderly people should talk to their doctor about getting the vaccine because the one they got won't be as effective.