Know the Facts About Pertussis

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.

In 2010, 27,550 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) were reported in the U.S., but many more go undiagnosed and unreported. This is the most number of cases reported in the U.S. since 1959 when 40,000 cases were reported. In 2011, 18,719 cases were reported.

Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After fits of many coughs, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breathes which result in a "whooping" sound. Pertussis most commonly affects infants and young children and can be fatal, especially in babies less than 1 year of age.

Coughing fits due to pertussis infection can last for up to 10 weeks or more; sometimes known as the "100 day cough."  Adults can have what just appears to be a cold with a bad cough, when they are actually infected with pertussis.   Grownups recover after a certain length of time, but in the meantime, they can pass on whooping cough to infants, who aren’t fully immunized against the disease.

Pertussis can cause serious illness in infants, children and adults and can even be life-threatening, especially in infants. More than half of infants less than 1 year of age who get pertussis are hospitalized.

The most effective way to prevent pertussis is through vaccination with DTaP for infants and children and with Tdap for preteens, teens and adults — protection from the childhood vaccine fades over time.

The best way to prevent pertussis (whooping cough) among infants, children, teens, and adults is to get vaccinated. Also, keep infants and other people at high risk for pertussis complications away from infected people.

In the United States, the recommended pertussis vaccine for infants and children is called DTaP. This is a combination vaccine that protects against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.

Vaccine protection for these three diseases fades with time. Before 2005, the only booster available contained protection against tetanus and diphtheria (called Td), and was recommended for teens and adults every 10 years. Today there is a booster for preteens, teens and adults that contains protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap).

The childhood whooping cough vaccine (DTaP) protects most children for at least 5 years

Vaccine protection for pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria fades with time, so all adults 19 and older who have not previously received a Tdap vaccine need a booster shot. Experts recommend adults receive a tetanus and diphtheria booster (called Td) every 10 years and substitute a Tdap vaccine for one of the boosters. The dose of Tdap can be given earlier than the 10-year mark.

Getting vaccinated with Tdap — at least two weeks before coming into close contact with an infant — is especially important for families with and caregivers of new infants.

Another group due for a Tdap booster is children going in to 8^th grade.  Parents have been notified that these kids are due for a shot. Since it is a required immunization, these students will not be able to start school this fall without receiving the vaccination.

The Health Center has received a supply of Tdap vaccine to immunize the general public 11 years old and over.  There is no charge for this vaccine, and several opportunities to get vaccinated are planned for July.

Those interested in receiving this important immunization can come to any of our Tuesday Walk In Office Visit days in July as well as any of our regularly scheduled Immunization Clinics.  Our evening immunization clinic has extended hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to give even more opportunity for residents to get vaccinated.

Our staff will also be out at the “Salute to Seniors” Resource Fair at the Grand River Multipurpose Center on Tuesday, July 9^th from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; the Livingston County Fair on Wednesday, July 17^th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the July 12^th Mudcats game for Midwest Glove Appreciation Night from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Please take a little time to get this vaccination if you are due for a booster.  Don’t be the one to put a baby in the hospital because you didn’t have time to get vaccinated.

Source: CDC