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This season, Michiganders may experience more people coughing around them. The Michigan Department of Health and Human services (MDHHS) reported an increase in pertussis or whooping cough.
State Chief Medical Executive Natasha Begdasarian says respiratory illnesses decreased during the pandemic since masks and protocols help prevent them. She says low vaccination numbers in children also influenced the increase.
“We do expect to see it this time of year, but perhaps this season is a little bit worse again because some of our kids in our communities haven’t seen these illnesses in a few years,” Begdasarian said.
Between 2017 and 2019, Michigan averaged 596 cases of pertussis each year. There have already been 830 confirmed or probable cases reported to MDHHS this year as of Oct. 28.
Early symptoms of whooping cough can look like a common cold. It can take five to ten days for symptoms to appear after exposure and sometimes longer. Babies and young children may not cough, but they may have pauses in their breathing, which is called apnea. It can make their skin look bluish or cause shortness of breath. Later symptoms can consist of uncontrolled coughing fits.
Begdasarian says people can ask their healthcare provider if they are due for a booster. She also recommends that individuals stay home if they’re feeling unwell.
Whooping cough is common in the United States. The acute infectious disease can cause serious illness in people of all ages but is more likely to be severe and possibly deadly for infants. However, whooping cough is treatable with antibiotics.