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Pertussis (Whooping Cough) – What You Need To
Know
Pertussis (whooping cough) is very contagious
and can cause serious illness, especially in
infants who are too young to be fully
vaccinated. It is one of the most commonly
occurring vaccine-preventable diseases in the
United States.
The disease starts like the common cold, with
runny nose or congestion, sneezing, and maybe
mild cough or fever. But after a week or two,
severe coughing begins, with a characteristic
“whoop”. Pertussis is most severe for babies,
causing hospitalizations and pneumonia.
In rare cases, pertussis can be deadly,
especially in infants.
Most children are vaccinated against pertussis,
but protection from the childhood vaccine fades over time. People with
pertussis usually spread the disease by coughing
or sneezing while in close contact with others,
who then breathe in the pertussis
bacteria. Many infants who get pertussis
are infected by parents, older siblings, or
other caregivers who might not even know
they have the disease.
Public health officials in a number of states
are worried about the rising numbers of cases of
pertussis in recent years, especially
among teens and babies less than 6 months of
age. Nationally, in 2008, there were more than
13,000 reported cases including 18 deaths. The
California Department of Public Health has
declared it an epidemic in California. Arizona
and upstate New York are also experiencing
increases in the numbers of patients with
whooping cough.
The best way to prevent pertussis is to get
vaccinated. Infants and young children are
routinely vaccinated against several diseases,
including pertussis. Pre-teens going to the
doctor for their regular check-up should get a
dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and
pertussis vaccine (called Tdap). The easiest
thing for adults
to do is to get Tdap instead of their next
regular tetanus booster—that Td shot that they
were supposed to get every 10 years. The dose of
Tdap can be given earlier than the 10-year mark,
so it’s a good idea for adults to talk to a
healthcare provider about what’s best for their
specific situation. Getting vaccinated with Tdap
is especially important for families with, and
caregivers of, new infants.
The Tdap vaccine is currently available for $15
at the Long Beach Island Health Department. For more
information or to make an appointment, call
492-1212 and ask to speak with a public health
nurse.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
You can watch videos of personal stories of
people affected by pertussis at
ShotbyShot.org
You can “Hear What Pertussis Sounds Like” at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Pertussis
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