According to the Centers for Disease Control, whooping cough outbreaks are on the rise with more than 200 cases already being reported in Missouri earlier this year. Whooping cough is caused by the bordetella pertussis bacterium and is more commonly spread from adults to younger children via airborne-infected droplets. The CDC recommends adults getting their younger children a tetanus booster and ensuring that it has the pertussis component in order to prevent the spread of the disease. The majority of deaths continue to occur among infants younger than 3 months of age, with incidence rates of pertussis among infants exceeding that of all other age groups.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital shares the following symptoms of whooping cough and the steps for prevention:
• Mild cough
• Low-grade fever
• Runny nose
Acute phase (may last for several weeks):
• Cough gets worse and comes in severe fits.
• Cough is dry and harsh.
• Cough ends with a whoop sound on inspiration.
• Child may vomit with the coughing and appear to be strangling on the vomit.
• Cough can be started by many factors, including feeding, crying, or playing.
Recovery phase (usually begins around the fourth week):
• Vomiting and the whooping cough cease first.
• The cough usually decreases around the sixth week, but may continue on occasion for the next one to two months.
• Whooping cough can last up to several weeks and can lead to pneumonia.
Prevention:
The CDC recommends that children receive five DTaP shots for maximum protection against pertussis. A DTaP shot is a combination vaccine that protects against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. The first three shots are given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. Between 15 and 18 months, the fourth shot is given, and finally a fifth shot when a child enters school at 4 to 6 years old. At regular checkups for 11- or 12-year-olds, a preteen should get a dose of Tdap. The Tdap booster contains tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. If an adult did not get a Tdap as a preteen or teen, then he or she should get a dose of Tdap instead of the next Td booster. Adults should get a Td booster every 10 years, but it can be given before the 10-year mark.
Treatment:
Specific treatment for whooping cough is individualized and recommended after consultation with a doctor. Treatment might range from antibiotics to intravenous fluids or oxygen. If you believe that you or your child might have been exposed, seek medical care immediately.
For more information, visit stlouischildrens.org or cdc.gov.
