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Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, cases were lower than usual during the pandemic. But with the return to normalcy comes a spike in whooping cough cases. The United States this year has had the highest number of whooping cough cases since 2014, with rates being five times higher than they were last year, according to the CDC’s new report on Friday.
Anthony Flores, a professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, joined FOX 17 News to share more information about the rise in whooping cough cases and how to prevent it here in Tennessee.
When asked why cases are on the rise more than ever, Flores says there isn’t a clear understanding yet of any particular reason why cases are rising.
The symptoms of whooping cough may look similar to the common cold, the key difference including the onset of rapid, violent and uncontrolled coughing fits (usually giving off a “whoop” sound, giving the illness its name) known as paroxysms. These paroxysms usually last one to six weeks normally, but can last as long as 10 weeks in severe cases. They can also cause vomiting during or after the coughing fits, feeling lethargic afterward and/or having difficulty sleeping (due to struggling to breathe), and even the possibility of breaking a rib.
Whooping cough is highly contagious and can affect all age groups, but it is younger children, who have not yet been vaccinated, who are more susceptible to its more intense symptoms.
“In older kids, especially those who are vaccinated, and adults it can be pretty limited symptoms. But what we worry the most is the really young kids,” says Flores. “Infants, especially those that haven’t been vaccinated. Those who are under 6 months of age, especially under 2 months of age, could have pretty severe disease and get hospitalized.”
Flores urges us to stay vigilant and recommends getting vaccinated against the disease.
“Especially teenagers who might be due for that booster shot, the TDAP that we typically get,” says Flores. He also reminds us that pregnant women can get vaccinated and help their newborn stay immune as well, “we have an opportunity in pregnant women to vaccinate them in the third trimester, and that vaccination with the TDAP could actually be pretty protective of the newborns, those at highest risk of the disease.”