Whooping cough, a once-controlled bacterial infection, is making a resurgence. Vaccination remains an effective preventive measure.
Whooping cough, also known as Pertussis, is a bacterial infection caused by Bordetella pertussis. It was once a common childhood illness that caused a great deal of sickness and deaths, particularly in young children. The introduction of a vaccine in the 1940s paved the way for it becoming less common but numbers have resurged in recent years. Today’s post takes a closer look at the illness and why it is staging a comeback.
The 3 stages of whooping cough
Whooping cough infection is spread by breathing in air that contains the bacteria produced when infected patients cough or sneeze into it. It progresses through three distinct stages. The first stage, known as the catarrhal phase, presents with a runny nose, sneezing, and mild cough.This stage can last between 7-10 days. At this stage, patients are very infectious and symptoms cannot be distinguished from other upper respiratory infections like cold.
The next stage is known as the paroxysmal stage. During this stage, patients experience severe coughing fits that can lead to vomiting and a characteristic whooping sound on inhaliing. In infants, this stage can present as life-threatening breathing distress with inability to breathe and bluish discoloration of lips and skin. The final stage is the convalescent stage when the cough gradually becomes less severe. This phase can last for weeks to months. Fever is uncommon in all stages.
In general, babies under the age of one are at the greatest risk of developing severe complications from whooping cough. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about a third of babies under the age of 12 months who get whooping cough will need treatment in a hospital.
Vaccine prevents serious illness
There is a long available effective vaccine that can lower the risk of getting seriously ill with whooping cough. It is typically given as a combination vaccine with tetanus and diphtheria. It is a recommended vaccine in childhood immunization schedules and all adults should get a booster dose once every ten years. (Babies and children younger than seven years old receive DTaP vaccine, while older children and adults receive Tdap vaccine.) Getting vaccinated during pregnancy protects nine in ten babies from being hospitalized with whooping cough. Vaccination is recommended during each pregnancy to keep babies safe until they can be vaccinated for themselves.
The vaccine, introduced in 1948, reduced the number of cases by 90% compared to the pre-vaccine era. Since the 1980’s, numbers began to slowly rise, with a peak of 48,277 cases in 2012. It remained elevated until experiencing a dip during the COVID-19 pandemic as people adopted widespread masking and social distancing. Unfortunately, the numbers have since risen to pre-pandemic levels following the lifting of those measures.
If you are unsure of your vaccination status, check in with your healthcare provider about getting a booster. And if you are pregnant, ask your provider about getting boosted during pregnancy to lower the risk for your baby.
Disclaimer: This blog content and linked materials are not intended as individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should not be considered as such. Any readers with medical concerns should contact a licensed healthcare provider. This blog is provided for informational purposes only.
