MATTHEWS, N.C. — The Mecklenburg County Health Department said someone at a Charlotte-Mecklenburg elementary school was diagnosed with pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

The contagious bacterial infection lodges in the respiratory tract and spreads by coughing.

A letter was sent to parents and staff at Elizabeth Lane Elementary School in Matthews.

The letter said, “If you are receiving this letter, your child was identified as sharing a classroom and/or bus with the ill person."

Whooping cough: Know the signs

Whooping cough starts like the common cold, with a runny nose or congestion, sneezing, and maybe a mild cough or fever. But after one to two weeks, severe coughing can begin and can include many rapid coughs followed by a high-pitched “whoop” sound.

“Typically when we go to treat it, it is a cough that has been going on for three weeks and it’s got this really sporadic cough,” physician’s assistant Kristen Vestigo said. “People say they can hear the ‘whoop’ and that’s when they take a breath and you hear this ‘whooping’ sound.”

[ ALSO READ: CDC urging pregnant women to get flu shot, whooping cough vaccines ]

It’s important to note not everyone with pertussis will cough and many who cough will not “whoop.” Babies may not cough at all though. Instead, they have trouble breathing.

Experts say the best protection against whooping cough is getting the vaccination and making sure your family’s vaccinations are up-to-date.

No other information has been released.

Health department investigating reported case of whooping cough at Statesville HS Health department investigating reported case of whooping cough at Statesville HS

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