Pertussis is back with a vengeance: Here's what you need to know

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection that has subsided in recent years, is making a comeback.

In Ohio, the number of pertussis infections has doubled in one year, jumping from nearly 800 in 2023 to about 1,600 as of mid-December. According to federal data.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in October that the national whooping cough epidemic reached its highest level in a decade this fall.

“The main reason is simple,” says Dr. Amy Edwards, associate medical director for pediatric infection control at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. “Vaccination rates have been steadily declining in recent years. As fewer people have immunity, more people are becoming infected.”

Not only are fewer people immune from vaccines, but our natural immunity is also declining.

Having whooping cough provides some immunity against future infections. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, the spread of whooping cough and other respiratory illnesses has decreased thanks to masks and social distancing, said Cleveland Clinic infectious disease physician Donald. Dr. Dunford said.

The current surge in whooping cough cases may also be due to the cyclical nature of the disease, which peaks every three to five years, Dunford said.

“We're probably at the point where the number of cases is going to increase anyway,” he said. “However, this natural infection pattern has been exaggerated this year.”

Whooping cough, also known as whooping cough, is characterized by a severe hacking cough followed by a wheezing sound of breathing in.

The disease is spread from person to person through the air through droplets expelled when you sneeze or cough. Whooping cough According to the CDC, these symptoms can last for weeks or even months.

“Whooping cough is highly contagious,” says the university's Edwards. “80-100% of non-immune family contacts will become infected.”

To prevent the spread of whooping cough, stay home and distance yourself from others when you are sick, wear a mask in public when you feel sick or when respiratory illnesses are spiking, and cover your coughs and sneezes. He said to wash your hands frequently. Dr. Erica Sobolewski, Summit County Public Health Medical Director;

“Make sure to practice good general self-care, such as limiting stress, getting good quality sleep, and eating a balanced diet,” said Dr Dunford of the clinic.

However, whooping cough is highly contagious and difficult to control. “The only really effective way to prevent infection is vaccination,” the university's Edwards said.

People at increased risk of severe whooping cough include infants under 1 year of age, people with weakened immune systems, and people with asthma.

Whooping cough cases are surging across the country, with outbreaks occurring among older children and teens, according to news reports.

Across the Midwest, the number of pertussis cases in Michigan has increased from about 100 in 2023 to more than 1,500 this year, and in Pennsylvania, the number of pertussis cases has increased from about 300 in 2023 to more than 1,500 by mid-December of this year. The number has rapidly increased to more than 2,800.

According to the CDC, more than 32,000 cases of pertussis will be reported in the United States in 2024. In contrast, the country had only about 6,500 cases in 2023.

What you need to know about whooping cough

Early symptoms of whooping cough include a runny nose, stuffy nose, watery eyes, fever, and cough. Thick mucus then blocks the airways, causing uncontrollable coughing.

Health experts say a prolonged coughing attack can cause vomiting, a red or blue face, and end with the characteristic high-pitched “whooshing” sound.

However, not everyone makes whistling noises. Infants may not cough at all. Breathing may become difficult or may stop temporarily.

Seek medical attention if you vomit when you cough, your face turns red or blue, you have trouble breathing, or your breath makes a whistling sound.

Medical experts say whooping cough patients can spread the disease for at least two weeks after they start coughing. Even people with mild symptoms can spread the disease to others.

Taking antibiotics early in your illness may shorten the amount of time you remain infectious.

Please consult. CDC, of mayo clinic and immunization.org For more information.

Whooping cough vaccination is recommended for babies and adults

Until the introduction of the whooping cough vaccine in the late 1940s, whooping cough was the most common infectious cause of death in infants, Dunford said.

At the time, the United States typically recorded between 100,000 and 250,000 pertussis cases a year, Dunford said.

The pertussis vaccine (also called DTaP for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) is now part of routine childhood immunizations. Also recommended for adults and pregnant women.

The DTaP vaccine for children is given in three doses at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, followed by a booster shot at 12 to 15 months of age, and a booster shot at 4 to 6 years of age.

“We strongly encourage families to work with their health care providers to ensure their children receive up-to-date vaccines and boosters,” said Sobolewski of the Summit County Health Department.

Adults should receive the TDaP vaccine every 10 years.

“If you're not up to date on your tetanus booster or can't remember when you last got it, talk to your doctor or health care provider about getting vaccinated with TDaP now to protect against tetanus as well as whooping cough.” Please talk to someone,” said the clinic's Dr. Dunford.

Although vaccines have significantly reduced the number of children who become seriously ill with whooping cough, vaccination rates among children are declining. According to federal data.

DTaP vaccination rates in Ohio have dropped several percentage points over the past few years, Dunford said.

Vaccination rates at national kindergartens declined last year, and vaccine exemptions are at an all-time high. the CDC said.

all states and territories Require vaccinations for children in care centers and schools many diseasesReportedly, these include measles, mumps, polio, tetanus, whooping cough and chickenpox.

All states allow medical exemptions, and most also allow exemptions for religious or non-medical reasons.

Julie Washington covers medical insurance cleveland.com. read Click here for the previous article.