Officials from the Logan County Health District reported Tuesday that cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, are on the rise in the community, with four local cases confirmed, and the Tdap and DTap vaccines are encouraged for area residents.
Whooping cough starts like the common cold, with a runny nose or congestion, sneezing, a mild cough or fever. But after one to two weeks, severe coughing can begin.
Unlike the common cold, pertussis can become a series of violent and rapid coughing fits that continue for weeks. These coughing fits force all of the air out of the lungs. People can make a loud “whooping” sound when they are finally able to breathe again. However, it is important to know that many babies with whooping cough don’t cough at all, health officials noted.
If you or your child develops a cold that includes a lengthy or severe cough, it may be whooping cough. The best way to know is to see your doctor.
Whooping cough can be quite severe, even deadly, especially for babies under 6 months old, who are too young to be well protected by vaccines. The disease starts out like a cold, and it spreads easily. Babies often catch whooping cough from parents, siblings and other caregivers, who may not even know they are sick.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all preteens, teens and adults — including pregnant women — get a vaccine called Tdap. By vaccinating adults and young people in community, this offers an added safeguard to infants.
For infants and children, they can receive the first dose of the five-dose series of the DTaP vaccine at starting at age 2 months.
These vaccines are available at the health district, 310 S. Main St., during regular immunization clinic hours, from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursdays and from 2 to 6 p.m. the first Thursday of each month. Call 651-6186 to register.
To learn more about whooping cough and the vaccines to prevent it, visit www.cdc.gov/whoopingcough or talk to your health care professional.