Whooping cough is on the rise in the United States, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the vaccine’s protective effect is fading. So far this year, 14,599 cases have been reported. That’s nearly five times the number of cases at the same time last year, according to the CDC. Pennsylvania has seen particularly high rates of whooping cough cases so far this year, with 2,008, the highest of any other state, the CDC said. It’s also 10 times the number of cases reported in the state at the same time last year. Whooping cough symptoms, transmission route Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It is known for making a “whooping” sound as a person gasps for air after a coughing fit. People with whooping cough spread the disease by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with another person, who then inhales the bacteria. People with whooping cough are most contagious during the first two weeks after the coughing begins. Treating whooping cough early with antibiotics can help prevent the infection from becoming severe. It also helps prevent people from infecting others. Because whooping cough is highly contagious, antibiotics may also be recommended for people who have been in contact with someone who has whooping cough. Taking antibiotics before symptoms appear may help prevent whooping cough. Whooping cough can be difficult to diagnose because early symptoms often resemble those of a cold or other respiratory illness. Whooping cough is often not suspected or diagnosed until the cough becomes severe or prolonged. Infants and young children may not cough, but instead may have difficulty breathing. Early symptoms, which may last for 1 to 2 weeks, include: Runny or stuffy nose Slight fever (less than 100.4°F) A mild, intermittent cough Coughing fits may occur 1 to 2 weeks after the first symptoms begin. These coughing fits may cause the following symptoms: Making a high-pitched whooshing sound when breathing in after a coughing fit Vomiting during or after a coughing fit Feeling very tired after the fit, but usually seems fine between fits Trouble sleeping at night Having trouble breathing. Broken ribs. Vaccine. The CDC says the whooping cough vaccine, which also protects against diphtheria and tetanus, is the best way to protect against the disease and its complications. Infants and children under 7 years of age receive the DTaP vaccine, and older children and adults receive the Tdap vaccine. The CDC recommends whooping cough vaccination for all infants, children, preteens, adults, and during pregnancy. Adults who have never received the Tdap vaccine should get one dose, followed by a booster shot at least every 10 years.
Whooping cough cases are on the rise in the United States, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the protection provided by the vaccine is waning.
There have been 14,599 cases reported so far this year.
That’s nearly five times the number of cases during the same period last year, according to the CDC.
Whooping cough cases have been particularly high in Pennsylvania, with 2,008 cases so far this year.
The CDC said that’s higher than any other state.
This is 10 times the number of cases reported in the state at the same time last year.
Whooping cough symptoms and infection route
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, known for the “whooping” sound made by coughing fits and gasping for air.
People with whooping cough spread the disease when they cough or sneeze while in close contact with other people, who then breathe the bacteria in. People with whooping cough are most contagious during the first two weeks after the coughing begins.
Treating whooping cough early with antibiotics can reduce the severity of the infection and help prevent you from spreading it to others.
Because whooping cough is highly contagious, antibiotics may also be recommended for people who have been in contact with someone who has whooping cough. If given before symptoms appear, antibiotics may be able to prevent whooping cough.
Whooping cough can be difficult to diagnose because early symptoms often resemble those of a cold or other respiratory illness. Whooping cough is often not suspected or diagnosed until the cough becomes severe or prolonged. Infants and young children may not cough, but may instead have difficulty breathing.
Initial symptoms may last for 1-2 weeks and include:
Runny or stuffy nose Slight fever (less than 100.4°F) Mild, intermittent cough
Coughing fits may occur 1 to 2 weeks after the first symptoms begin. These fits may cause the following symptoms:
Making a high-pitched whooshing sound when breathing in after a coughing fit. Vomiting during or after a coughing fit. Feeling very tired after the fit but usually seeming fine between fits. Having trouble sleeping at night. Having trouble breathing. Broken ribs.
vaccine
The CDC said the whooping cough vaccine, which also protects against diphtheria and tetanus, is the best way to protect against the disease and its complications.
Infants and children under 7 years of age receive the DTaP vaccine, and older children and adults receive the Tdap vaccine.
The CDC recommends pertussis vaccination for all infants, children, preteens, adults, and during pregnancy.
Adults who have never received the Tdap vaccine should get one dose, followed by booster doses at least every 10 years.
