<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>If you haven’t had a vaccine for pertussis in

the past five years, then you’re at risk to contract it.

Pertussis—more commonly known as “whooping cough” for the whooping

sound that accompanies the coughing fits—killed 10 infants earlier

this year in California.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>It has also spread to other states, such as New

York and Michigan, according to the Center for Disease Control’s

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for week 46.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>The chart can be found on the CDC website,

www.cdc.gov, in the publications tab. While anyone can get it, it

seems that newborns are the most susceptible.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>Whooping cough is not typically fatal in adults

and can be avoided with vaccinations. This isn’t the case when it

comes to infants as parents usually find it difficult to diagnose

whooping cough, and when they do, it has progressed by the time

they decide to see a doctor.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>There also isn’t a “whoop” sound with babies

under 6 months old. Infants are less likely to get it if they are

surrounded by family members who have been vaccinated, and this

kind of practice should be encouraged, as children can’t be

vaccinated until they are at least 2 months old.

Whooping cough

is caused by a bacterial infection in the respiratory system,

specifically in the pharynx where it irritates the throat, inducing

a cough. Once infected, a person can spread it just by laughing or

coughing.

It takes seven

to 14 days after infection for the symptoms to appear. Whooping

cough is broken down into three stages, with the first two stages

progressively worsening. The third stage is when the afflicted

begin to improve.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>Stage One is characterized by sneezing, a runny

nose and a fever. These symptoms can last up to two weeks and it’s

at this time that the afflicted is most likely to spread the

disease.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>In Stage Two, the “whoop’’ sound can be heard

when inhaling in between coughing fits. There can also be bouts of

vomiting accompanying the coughing fits, and in between these

coughing fits, those infected usually feel normal and experience no

symptoms.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>In Stage Three, the coughs typically get louder,

and can occur intermittently for a span of

weeks.  

The CDC

recommends that all those from 11 years old to 64 get booster shots

for pertussis. When treating whooping cough, a variety of

antibiotics are used, but vaccinations are recommended to prevent

the spread of this disease to young infants, where it can be fatal.

If the infant is too young to be vaccinated, then the best

prevention for parents is to vaccinate themselves and to recommend

to other family members who might be taking care of the infant to

be vaccinated as well.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>It’s important to educate adults as to the real

dangers of whooping cough when it concerns newborns

and  younger children. It’s also important to practice

good hand washing and sanitization habits, and instead of coughing

into your hand, cough into your sleeve. Do not delay treatment if

you think you have whooping cough, as this increases the likelihood

of those around you becoming infected.