Beaverton High School

Beaverton High School is pictured in this 2015 file photo.

(Wendy Owen/Staff)

The Washington County Health Department sent a letter to Beaverton High School students' families warning them that whooping cough has been reported at the school.

Two cases of whooping cough have been confirmed at the school, district spokeswoman Maureen Wheeler said.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a greatly contagious respiratory disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms normally develop within five to 10 days after someone is exposed to the disease, but they sometimes don't develop for up to three weeks later, the CDC says.

"Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe," according to the CDC. "After fits of many coughs, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breaths which result in a 'whooping' sound."

The Washington County Health Department recommends people stay up to date on their immunizations, including whooping cough vaccines.

The department asks that anyone who has cold symptoms for more than one week stay home and contact their health care provider. They should also avoid contact with pregnant women and children under the age of one year, the department said.

The disease normally begins with cold-like symptoms and possibly a minor cough or fever, according to the CDC. People infected with the disease may experience coughing fits that precede a high-pitched "whoop" after one to two weeks. Those people may vomit during or after the coughing fits and be exhausted afterward.

Coughing fits can continue for 10 weeks or more, the CDC says.

Read more about the disease on the CDC's website.

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015

Staff writer Samantha Matsumoto contributed to this story.