[Whooping Cough Cases Surge in US, With No Signs of Slowing
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, has been surging in the United States for months, with over 32,000 cases reported so far this year. This is about six times more than there were at this time last year and more than there have been since 2014. The latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that there are no signs of slowing.
Whooping cough is a very contagious respiratory illness that starts with symptoms similar to the common cold, but can develop into a painful, full-body cough that can cause patients to vomit or break ribs. The coughing can last for weeks or months, and people can spread the infectious bacteria for weeks after the cough develops.
The CDC recommends vaccination as the best way to protect against whooping cough. Children should get the DTaP vaccine, while adolescents and adults should get the TDaP vaccine. However, vaccination rates among children have fallen, with only about 92% of kindergartners having gotten their DTaP vaccine for the 2023-2024 school year, below the 95% federal target.
Antibiotics can treat the infection, but only if it’s caught within the first few weeks. After that, the only treatment is comfort care with plenty of rest and fluids while the infection runs its course.
The surge in whooping cough cases is not unique to the US, as there are peaks in reported cases every few years. The CDC suggests that the US is returning to pre-pandemic trends, as reported cases have been climbing sharply for months and have more than doubled since mid-September.
Children younger than 1 are particularly sensitive to whooping cough, as their immune systems are still developing. This is especially true for infants and young children who haven’t had all their recommended vaccines. Pennsylvania has reported the most cases of whooping cough, followed by the Midwest region.
As the US moves into the winter season, broader respiratory illness activity is relatively moderate, with Covid-19 levels starting to increase from low levels and flu levels continuing to rise.
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