Whooping cough is on the rise across the United States, with Pennsylvania reporting the highest number of cases.
The United States had recorded 17,611 pertussis cases through October 5, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, four times the 3,988 cases reported during the same period last year. That’s all. Pennsylvania now has 2,209 confirmed cases, up from 209 last year. In New Jersey, the number of cases increased from 165 to 423.
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Whooping cough, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by bacteria known as Bordetella pertussis. The disease is spread when someone coughs, releasing bacterial particles into the air that others inhale. The name “whooping cough” comes from the “whooshing” sound people make when they breathe in after a violent cough that causes infection. According to the Mayo Clinic.
Children and teens are the most affected by the rise in cases in Philadelphia, which issued an advisory in May about an increase in pertussis, according to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get the whooping cough vaccine. Babies who have not yet been fully vaccinated are most susceptible to whooping cough and can develop serious complications from the disease. People who have not been vaccinated, older adults who are immunocompromised, and people with pre-existing health conditions such as asthma or primary immunodeficiency diseases are also at increased risk of contracting the disease.
Whooping cough often begins with cold symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose, a low-grade fever, and a cough. You can spread the disease for up to two weeks after your cough begins, after symptoms appear. According to the CDC, a cough can last for weeks or even months.
Masks, quarantine, remote work and school during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent years led to a decline in pertussis cases. The CDC says lack of vaccination during the pandemic may be contributing to the spike in cases. The proportion of children who received at least three doses of the DTaP vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis fell from 94.3% in the pre-pandemic years to 92.5% in the first years of the pandemic. Coverage rates for other childhood immunizations declined as well.
The CDC recommends that everyone get vaccinated against pertussis to prevent infection and the spread of disease. This includes infants and children, pre-teens and teenagers, pregnant women and adults. There are two types of combination vaccines. DTaP for infants and children under 7 years of age and Tdap for older children and adults. These vaccinations also include diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations.
The CDC recommends:
• Infants receive 3 doses of DTap at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months.
• Children will receive two booster shots. The first time is between 15 and 18 months and the second time is between 4 and 6 years of age.
• Preschool children receive one dose of Tdap between 11 and 12 years of age.
• Teens who do not receive Tdap between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. will receive the shot the next time they see their health care provider.
• Adults who have never had a Tdap injection will receive a Tdap injection.
The CDC also recommends washing your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Antibiotics, known as post-exposure antibiotic prophylaxis, may help prevent infection in people who may have been exposed to pertussis. The CDC recommends contacting your health care provider if you think you may be at risk for infection.
