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Health experts say there has been a rise in whooping cough cases across the country, including Wisconsin. First News at Nine’s Dashal Mentzel explains why the numbers are believed to be so high, and what the signs are for whooping cough.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says as of July 1st, Wisconsin has had 126 cases of whooping cough. Much higher than all of last year, which saw only 51 cases in the Badger State. Gundersen Health System Infection Preventionist Brian Simmons says, “Wisconsin, just like we’ve seen throughout the United States, have seen about three times as many cases of whooping cough this year when compared to last year. The numbers that we are seeing are very similar to what we saw, pre-pandemic in about 2019.”
According to Simmons, numbers show whooping cough cases go on the rise every three to five years. He says that the rise this time around may be partially caused by effects from the Covid pandemic, “Something else now that’s leading to potential more cases is possible vaccine hesitancy due to individuals maybe not getting their vaccine at normal time when they’re supposed to or some people just not getting their younger children vaccinated because of the pandemic concerns.”
Simmons says whooping cough is caused by a bacteria that most commonly enters through a person’s mouth or nasal passages, “That bacteria goes down into the lining of the upper lining of your respiratory system and into your throat. That lining becomes a little bit inflamed from some toxins that are released from that bacteria.”
Gundersen Health officials say DTAP and TDAP vaccines are the best way to prevent yourself from getting whooping cough. While whooping cough can affect all ages, there is more cause for alarm among health officials for young children. “We get more concern about young children, especially those under the age of one, that haven’t had a chance to be vaccinated and or those that haven’t completed a vaccine series.”
Simmons says signs of whooping cough are feelings of a common cold that lasts over a week and violent coughing. In La Crosse, Dashal Mentzel First News at Nine.
Gundersen Health officials say ways to help yourself when diagnosed with whooping cough are antibiotics, rest, and good hygiene.