Whooping Cough Case at Clemson Elementary

The Upstate of South Carolina is experiencing an increase in the number of whooping cough cases.  The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced on Tuesday that a case has been confirmed at Clemson Elementary School in Pickens County. Officials say students may have been exposed between August 20^th and 30^th.  DHEC also reports cases at five elementary schools in Anderson County.  Whooping Cough symptoms are similar to asthma in young people. They include coughing spells, a choking sensation and shortness of breath.  DHEC officials say the vaccine given to children is about 85% effective. It reduces the severity of the illness when children do get sick.