While the vaccine offers protection against severe illness for children, infants who are too young for vaccination are at the highest risk. (iStock | National Institutes of Health)
The number of whooping cough cases in the U.S. has skyrocketed by more than 340%, alarming healthcare professionals across the country. As of October 5, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 17,600 cases of the highly contagious disease. This is a dramatic increase compared to the 3,962 cases reported in October 2023.
Whooping cough, medically known as pertussis, is a serious respiratory infection that can cause severe coughing fits. The disease mainly affects children, but adults can also be at risk if their vaccination is not up to date. Before the pandemic, whooping cough cases typically exceeded 10,000 annually, with a high of 18,600 cases recorded in 2019. However, during the pandemic, cases significantly dropped due to widespread mask-wearing and social distancing measures. In 2021, for instance, only 2,100 cases were reported.
Whooping cough (pertussis) infections continue to rise in the U.S., with the CDC estimating more than 17,600 cases as of Oct. 5. (iStock)
Now, as people return to normal activities, the number of infections is climbing again, and the resurgence has many experts concerned. Doctors are urging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated and advising adults to consider booster shots if necessary.
The states hardest hit by this resurgence include Pennsylvania, which leads with 2,209 cases, followed by New York with 1,228 cases, Illinois (1,153), California (1,123), and Wisconsin (903). Other states seeing high numbers include Washington (844), Ohio (814), Texas (676), Oregon (546), and Arizona (491).
Healthcare professionals point to several factors behind the alarming rise. Some experts, like Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst at Fox News and clinical professor at NYU Langone Medical Center, believe the pandemic disrupted regular exposure to bacteria and viruses. “Our immune systems were shielded for a while due to the precautions against COVID-19, but now they’re encountering pathogens they haven’t faced in years,” Dr. Siegel explained. This lack of exposure, combined with waning immunity from past vaccinations or infections, has likely contributed to the increase.
Whooping cough is especially dangerous for young children and infants, who are at the highest risk of serious complications, including death. Pertussis spreads easily in communities where vaccination rates are low, and its symptoms are often mistaken for a common cold in the early stages. These symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, fever, and watery eyes. However, as the infection worsens, patients develop violent coughing fits. The “whooping” sound, which gives the disease its name, occurs when the patient inhales after coughing, as mucus blocks the airways.
The vaccine for whooping cough, known as DTaP for children and Tdap for teens and adults, offers protection against pertussis, as well as tetanus and diphtheria. Experts like Katy Dubinsky, a New York pharmacist, and CEO of Vitalize, emphasize the importance of keeping vaccinations up to date, particularly in communities with low herd immunity. “Pertussis is highly contagious, and in areas where people are not properly vaccinated, the disease can spread very quickly,” Dubinsky said.
Although vaccines are effective, immunity from them decreases over time, which is why booster shots are recommended, particularly for pregnant women. Receiving the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy helps protect newborns until they are old enough to receive their own vaccinations. Dr. Siegel stressed the importance of these precautions, saying, “I regularly give Tdap boosters to my adult patients. This is a serious disease, especially for children who don’t have fully developed airways.”
Treatment for whooping cough typically involves antibiotics to prevent the spread of the bacteria, with azithromycin being commonly prescribed for children and doxycycline for adults. However, in severe cases, particularly for infants or those with compromised immune systems, hospitalization may be required to monitor breathing and manage complications.
If parents or caregivers suspect a child has whooping cough, they should seek medical attention immediately. The initial dry cough might be mistaken for a viral infection, but as the condition progresses, it can lead to life-threatening complications, especially in infants. Healthcare providers will often perform a test to diagnose the infection and begin treatment as soon as possible.
The CDC estimates that approximately 160,000 children under the age of five die globally from pertussis each year, with around 24 million cases worldwide annually. Given the serious nature of this disease, public health officials continue to emphasize the importance of vaccinations, particularly in regions where outbreaks have occurred.
As whooping cough cases continue to rise, both the CDC and healthcare professionals are working to raise awareness and encourage people to take preventive measures. Parents, in particular, are advised to ensure their children receive the DTaP vaccine on schedule, while adults are encouraged to speak to their doctors about whether a Tdap booster is necessary.
While the current increase in cases is alarming, the situation is not hopeless. Vaccination remains the best defense against whooping cough, and with the right precautions, the spread of the disease can be minimized, protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
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