This winter has already seen high levels of the flu and RSV, and we still haven't felt the effects of all our holiday gatherings. But whooping cough infections have been surging for months. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed by CNN, there were more than 32,000 reported cases of whooping cough by Dec. 14, six times more than the same last year and the highest levels since 2014.
RELATED: Flu Levels Are "Very High" and "High" in These 14 States.
What is whooping cough?
Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, "is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection," according to Mayo Clinic. "In many people, it's marked by a severe hacking cough followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like 'whoop.'" The coughing can last for weeks or even months.
Since infants are too young to have been vaccinated against the bacterial infection, it's especially dangerous for them. However, teenagers and adults are susceptible, too, since the effectiveness of the vaccine and its boosters fade over time.
Why is whooping cough so bad this year?
As Best Life reported in October, medical experts say one reason for the whooping cough surge could be that "Bordetella pertussis, the bacteria that causes whooping cough, has undergone genetic changes that could be making it more resistant to vaccination."
However, many experts also point to declining vaccination rates. For background, two types of vaccines protect against whooping cough and other infections, according to the CDC:
- DTaP: Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (recommended for young children between the ages of two months and six years)
- Tdap: Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (recommended for preteens, pregnant women, and adults who haven't been previously vaccinated)
Is whooping cough bad everywhere?
- Wisconsin: 2,474
- Illinois: 2,137
- Ohio: 1,602
- Michigan: 1,534
- California: 1,706
- New York (excluding New York City): 1,664
- Texas: 1,092
These are the warning signs of whooping cough:
However, after one or two weeks, symptoms may worsen when thick mucus accumulates in the airways. This is when coughing fits known as paroxysms usually develop, along with the "whooping" sound when someone gasps for air after such an episode.
Infants may not cough at all, instead struggling to breathe. "Sometimes, a persistent hacking cough is the only sign that an adolescent or adult has whooping cough," Mayo Clinic adds.
Coughing fits can lead to vomiting, extreme fatigue and trouble sleeping, shortness of breath, and even rib fractures. "Those who get these coughing fits say it's the worst cough of their lives," says the CDC.
In speaking with The Washington Post, Zachary Rubin, MD, a pediatric immunologist in Illinois, said, "The cough is not just affecting your respiratory system. It affects your whole body, your mood and your sleep, and it can create more anxiety if you’re missing school or work."
If you begin to develop symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has whooping cough, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
