2nd Elk City infant likely has whooping cough

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Published on Monday, 30 July 2012 16:11

Another infant from Elk City has symptoms of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough. Cullen Galmor is currently being treated at OU Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City.

He is the second baby in as many months from Elk City to have come down with the illness. His mother, Devyn, said although Cullen has not been formally diagnosed with pertussis, he shows all the symptoms.

"He had two spells this morning," she said Monday. "It was kind of scary."

A test to determine a definite diagnosis is expected later this week.

The doctors are trying to keep his lungs clear, and Devyn said she is praying Cullen doesn't develop pneumonia.

The family caught Cullen's illness early, she said, primarily because of the publicity surrounding Aiden Smith, who died from whooping cough on July 16. Aiden's family and her family are friends, she said.

"Without their story, I would've thought he had reflux or allergies," said Devyn.

She also urged everyone to get the vaccine for pertussis, which is highly contagious.

"I don't want another mother to have to go through this," she said.