The CDC warns that pertussis cases are on the rise in Illinois and across the nation.
At the end of September, the number of cases reported in the state was nearly five times higher than during the same period last year, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Whooping cough, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that spikes in the fall, along with other diseases such as respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and COVID-19.
Bacterial infections initially appear as a standard cold for the first week or two, said Dr. David Nguyen, an internist at Rush University Medical Center.
The cough gets worse over time and may last several weeks. Nguyen said coughing attacks tend to last five to 10 times, and when a person catches their breath, they can hear a “whooshing” sound.
According to the CDC, infants are especially susceptible to whooping cough, with one in three requiring hospitalization for the disease.
“The real risk is for infants, especially those under six months of age. They have smaller lungs and less reserve capacity, so they can develop complications and stop breathing,” she says. Professor Nguyen, who also specializes in
If babies stop breathing, they are at serious risk of developing heart disease, Nguyen said. At this point, whooping cough can be fatal.
This disease can also seriously affect children, teens, and adults. It is recommended that adults receive a booster shot of Tdap vaccine every 10 years to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Pregnant people should also receive vaccines to boost their baby’s immune system and protect them during the first few months of life, Nguyen said.
For infants, the first dose of DTaP is given at 2 months of age, and boosters are given throughout childhood.
As of Sept. 21, 1,058 cases of pertussis have been reported in Illinois this year, according to CDC data. At the same point last year, there were just 230 reported cases.
Nguyen said the spike in cases is likely due to children and adults not being up to date on vaccinations. This could be because people are refusing to vaccinate themselves or their children, or because they are skipping visits to their GP during the coronavirus lockdown.
“One of the big reasons vaccination rates go up is if vaccination rates go down,” Nguyen said. “In addition to vaccinating your baby, it’s important to keep the whole family up to date on vaccinations.”
For both children and adults suffering from whooping cough, Dr. Nguyen recommends seeking medical attention if the cough becomes more severe and the cough causes difficulty breathing or vomiting. I am.
