The Whooping Cough Epidemic
What is whooping cough?
- Whooping cough (or Pertussis) is an infection caused by a bacterial germ called Bordetella pertussis.
- This bacterial germ infects the windpipe and the lower air tubes in the lungs called bronchi
- This illness usually affects young babies less than 6 months the worst. We feel this is due to the fact that they have not yet completed their first three protective vaccines against whooping cough at less than 6 months of age.
- Recently, specialists and doctors around the country have noticed a return of whooping cough. Since the lowest rates of whooping cough in the late 1970’s (which got as low as 1000 cases), we have seen a dramatic increase in 2004 to 25,000 cases according the American Academy of Pediatrics. There are many areas where we are considering this an epidemic.
What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
- Usually children start with mild cold symptoms (runny nose, mild cough, congestion, mild temperature, sneezing)
- Then they progress over the next one to two weeks to severe coughing spells that result in loud “whooping” noise at the end as the child gasps for air. Some small babies cannot generate enough wind to make the noise, they will however turn blue in the face at the end of the spell;
- Some children will gag and bring up phlegm after a coughing spell
- Most children who have whooping cough and normal between spells, especially in the earlier stages of the coughing fits
How is whooping cough spread to children?
- Usually one of the parents (mother most frequently) has picked up this infection through the air when an infected person coughs on him or her
- Then the parents or another adult coughs near the baby or child and the germs are breathed in through the nose or mouth
- Of course, it is always important to have children and adults cover their mouths and noses when coughing to minimize the spread of germs
What is the treatment for whooping cough?
- There are antibiotics for whooping cough that kill the bacteria; The most common ones are erythromycin and azithromycin. Your doctor will usually want to test the mucus in your child’s nose prior to giving antibiotics.
- The doctor may want to get other tests, like blood work or xrays
- Once your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, the treatment depends on how sick he or she is. Some children may be able to stay at home and be given fluids, antibiotics and rest. Some children must stay in the hospital until your doctor is sure your child’s lungs are strong enough to withstand the coughing fits safely at home.
How can we prevent our children getting sick with whooping cough?
- There are some excellent vaccines against whooping cough including DTaP for younger children (ages 2 mon, 4 mon, 6 mon and ~12-18 mon) and Tdap for older adolescents (usually ~11-12 yr old; also known by the brand names Adacel or Boosterix)
- The vaccine for the older children is new; It was added in the vaccine schedule to help fight the epidemic of whooping cough that was mentioned above
Should parents get the new whooping cough vaccine?
- Absolutely! This new vaccine has a combination of tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough protection in it (brand name is Adacel)
- If it has been at least 2 years since your last tetanus shot, especially if you have a small infant in your house or you care for a small infant, please talk to your doctor about getting this vaccination
- **Remember most children get whooping cough from their mothers. If all mothers are protected against whooping cough, the incidence in small infants should go down drastically.
For more information you can go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/pertussis/faqs.htm
http://www.cispimmunize.org/fam/dtp/pert/fam_pert.html