Whooping cough killed two children. This is how to protect your child

Whooping cough kills two babies when the case soars up

by Lewis asked. edit Dean Visser

Two infants have Died of pertussis In Louisiana over the past six months, according to surgeons with the state's health department. The vaccine-protectable disease deaths have been the first in Louisiana since 2018.

There are 110 cases Whooping cough In the state so far this year, compared to all 154 cases last year, CNN reported. Cases have risen across the US after a dramatic drop during the COVID pandemic. Last year there were 35,000 cases in the country. It has been higher than any other year since 2012.

The spikes may have been driven by a lower vaccination rate for pediatric illness. Two months ago, the Louisiana Department of Health said it would. It no longer promotes vaccinations. A similar decline could be behind it Increased measles outbreak Texas and neighboring states.

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What is pertussis?

Whooping coughor pertussis is a type of respiratory infection caused by bacteria. Bordetella Pertussis. It is very contagious and the symptoms can last for several months. Bacteria attach to small, OL-discolored structures in the lungs called cilia, and help to clean up mucus and irritants. The bacteria then damage the cilia and secrete toxins that inflate the airways.

What are the symptoms?

The early symptoms of pertussis are similar to those of a cold. After a week or two, many people start to cough violently, which usually lasts for 1-6 weeks, but can last for up to 10 weeks. Illnesses often produce the distinctive “hooping” noise, as they stifle the air during coughing. According to the Cough Management Center, coughing is very violent and people vomit or break ribs.

This disease is particularly dangerous for babies and young children who may not cough but may have difficulty breathing. Approximately one in three coughing babies are hospitalized. People under the age of 1 can develop apnea (potentially fatal breathing pause), pneumoniaconvulsions and encephalopathy (brain disease). One in 100 babies hospitalized with pertussis die from complications of the disease.

Can the disease be prevented or treated?

Vaccines are effective in preventing serious cases of pertussis, but may not completely prevent people from becoming ill. Two pertussis vaccines are currently being used in the United States, both protecting against diphtheria and tetanus. The DTAP vaccine is administered to infants and young children aged 2 months and older, while the TDAP vaccine is used in older children and adults, including pregnant people.

The CDC recommends that children receive the vaccine at age 2, 4, 6, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years old. Adults should be vaccinated against diphtheria and tetanus at least every 10 years. This includes protection against pertussis when DTAP or TDAP vaccines are administered. There is no official recommendation that pertussis will be reviewed in particular for pertussis, but some evidence suggests that pertussis immunity lasts only about six years. Pregnant people need to take the TDAP vaccine Protect your baby before birth during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Whooping cough can be treated with antibiotics, but they are most effective if administered early before coughing begins. After three weeks of infection, the body cleans up the bacteria and the prolonged cough is caused by damage to the airways, so it is unlikely that the medication will help. Cough medications are usually not effective either.

Most infections can be treated at home, but hospitalization may be required. Treatment consists of keeping the airway clear and administering oxygen or liquids as needed.