Pertussis: What You Need to Know to Keep Your Family Safe from Whooping Cough
Pertussis is a bacterial infection caused by Bordetella pertussis. It gets its name from the "whooping" sound people make when they’re trying to catch their breath after a coughing fit. The infection can be severe, especially in young children, but it also affects adults. While it starts out with symptoms similar to the common cold, it can progress into uncontrollable coughing that lasts for weeks, sometimes even months.
How Does Pertussis Spread?
Pertussis spreads from person to person through droplets from coughing or sneezing. In a family or classroom setting, if one person gets it, others are at high risk—especially babies, who are too young to be fully vaccinated. This is why the important to recognize the symptoms early and take action to prevent further spread is paramount.
Incidence & Cases
The National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases reports that in 2023, pertussis made a notable rise in the United States. There were 5,611 reported cases—more than double the number from the previous year, which saw 2,388 cases. Pertussis can affect people of all ages, but some groups were hit particularly hard.
Young Children (1-6 years): This age group made up 31.4% of all cases, reflecting how susceptible young children can be to pertussis.
Adults (20+ years): Adults over 20 accounted for 26.2% of the cases, showing that whooping cough isn’t just a “childhood disease.”
Infants Under 1 Year: Infants, especially those too young to be fully vaccinated, were also impacted. Infants under 6 months accounted for 6.7% (376 cases), and those between 6-11 months made up 6.3% (353 cases).
Several states experienced a significant surge in pertussis cases, with Ohio leading the way with 810 reported cases, followed by Illinois (607), New York (534), Pennsylvania (381), and Arizona (337).
Symptoms to Watch For
At first, the symptoms of pertussis can be tricky to spot because they resemble a cold or flu. Here's what you might notice in the early stages:
Runny nose
Mild cough
Low-grade fever
After a week or two, the cough intensifies, leading to:
Violent coughing fits
“Whooping” sound when trying to breathe in between coughs
Vomiting after coughing fits, especially in children
Exhaustion after coughing episodes
Difficulty breathing
For infants, pertussis can be much more dangerous, as they may struggle to breathe or even stop breathing altogether.
How to Prevent Pertussis
The best defense against pertussis is vaccination. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention shares that the DTaP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) is recommended in a series of five doses for children at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years. This schedule provides strong immunity during early childhood, when children are most vulnerable.
For continued protection as immunity wanes, adolescents and adults should receive a booster, the Tdap vaccine, ideally between ages 11 and 12. Pregnant women are also encouraged to get the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy, ideally between 27 and 36 weeks, to protect their newborns from pertussis before they are old enough to be vaccinated.
In addition to vaccination, practicing good hygiene can further reduce the spread of pertussis:
Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
Stay home when sick to avoid spreading germs to others.
Clean and disinfect surfaces that may harbor bacteria and viruses.
Vaccination and good hygiene together create a strong defense against pertussis, especially for infants, who are most at risk.
Treatment
Once diagnosed, pertussis is treated primarily with antibiotics, which are most effective when started early. Antibiotics help reduce the severity of symptoms and can prevent the spread to others. In infants and young children, pertussis can sometimes lead to hospitalization, as they may need supportive care to help with breathing and to monitor for complications.
For infants too young to be fully vaccinated, early diagnosis and treatment are critical to reducing severe outcomes.
What to Do If You Suspect Whooping Cough
If you or someone in your family develops a persistent cough, contact your healthcare provider. They may prescribe antibiotics to diagnose and treat pertussis, potentially reducing its spread. It’s also important to isolate the person with pertussis as much as possible, especially around babies and those with weakened immune systems.
Why It Matters
While pertussis can strike at any time, it’s particularly important to stay vigilant during the colder months. People spend more time indoors, increasing the likelihood of infection spread.
The potential for pertussis to spread widely and affect vulnerable populations, including infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, underscores the importance of vaccination. During flu season, pertussis can be easily mistaken for other illnesses. Staying up to date with vaccinations and being mindful of symptoms, such as a prolonged cough, helps protect yourself and those around you.
REFERENCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Pertussis (whooping cough). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Pertussis surveillance and Trends. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/php/surveillance/index.html
Whooping cough (pertussis): Causes, symptoms & prevention. Cleveland Clinic. (2024c, May 1). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15661-whooping-cough-pertussis
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Pertussis. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/pertussis#tab=tab_1
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