AUBURN — A student at Sherwood Heights Elementary School has been treated for whooping cough and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating.

“We just got the word from the doctor, ” Auburn Assistant Superintendent Keith Laser said Thursday in confirming that the student had whooping cough, also known as pertussis. “We’re sending home a letter to parents. The letter comes from the Maine CDC.”

The student was out of school, the illness was suspected and the child was treated, Laser said. On Thursday the student was back in school, and “is feeling good and was cleared by the doctor to be back.”

Dr. Shashi Panozzo of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center said whooping cough is spread through coughing or sneezing. At first, symptoms resemble a cold, including a sore throat and runny nose.

The CDC’s letter tells parents that if cold-like symptoms last two weeks, and if a child has severe coughing in which the child is gagging, vomiting or has difficulty breathing, the child should be seen by a doctor. The treatment is antibiotics and staying home for five days.

Parents are advised to make sure their child is up to date on pertussis vaccine. Most children should have had the vaccine before age 7. Booster shots are recommended between ages 11 and 18, and for adults who come in contact with infants and young children.

The vaccine helps prevent the disease from spreading, but children who were vaccinated can become ill. And, Panozzo said, “people aren’t getting vaccinated as they should.”

To reach the Maine CDC, call 1-800-821-5821.