Parents of infants beware: Whooping Cough, or pertussis, an illness long thought conquered, has resurfaced across the country. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently warned that this bacterial infection is threatening young children, especially in California.
The CDC explains that “…the illness is most severe for babies; more than half of infants younger than 1 year of age who get the disease must be hospitalized. About 1 in 5 infants with pertussis get pneumonia (lung infection), and about 1 in 100 will have convulsions. In rare cases (1 in 100), pertussis can be deadly, especially in infants.â€
In order to protect your child from this life threatening illness, become familiar with the facts about whooping cough (pertussis).
POINTS TO REMEMBER
1. What is whooping cough or pertussis?
It is a disease that spreads easily, and it can travel quickly among family members. Caused by bacteria, it begins as a cold, but after one to two weeks, it turns into violent coughing “attacks.†These coughing fits can be so severe that the lungs lose all air, and a patient must struggle to breathe. A loud “whoop†sound is characteristic of the illness; however, in infants, the whoop may be absent.
Listen to what whooping cough sounds like by following this link.
2. How does the disease spread?
The illness spreads when an infected person, who may not even know they are sick, coughs or sneezes around other people. Those exposed then breathe in the bacteria. Babies can be infected by parents, siblings, or caregivers.
3. How do I know if my baby has whooping cough?
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services relates that confirmation of pertussis is determined by, “…a nasal swab specimen obtained during the early stage of illness.†Also, if your child has been exposed to the illness, he or she will be monitored to see if symptoms develop.
4. Is there anything I can do to prevent my child from getting sick?
Keep babies away from anyone who is coughing or has cold symptoms. Anyone who touches your baby should wash their hands with warm soap and water – frequently and often. Also, have your child immunized against the disease at the doctor’s office or local health department.
The CDC explains the immunization process which may seem complicated:
In the US, the recommended pertussis vaccine for children is called DTaP. This is a safe and effective combination vaccine that protects children against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. For maximum protection against pertussis, children need five DTaP shots. The first three shots are given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. The fourth shot is given between 15 and 18 months of age, and a fifth shot is given when a child enters school, at 4–6 years of age. If a 7-10 year old is not up-to-date with DTaP vaccines, a dose of Tdap should be given before the 11-12 year old check up.
Although the task of keeping up-to-date with your child’s immunizations may seem difficult, clinic staff will keep accurate records on what vaccine in needed. Two main things to remember – take your child for regularly scheduled check-ups, and ask if he or she is current with their shots.
5. Are there any treatments for whooping cough?
Fortunately, there are four antibiotics that can be prescribed to combat the illness; however, since young children are so vulnerable, it is better to PREVENT the disease than to treat the disease. That is why immunizations and good hygiene remain critical.
The threat of whooping cough is real. Public health workers across the nation have been dealing with this resurgence of pertussis for the past several years. Even though anyone can get whooping cough, it is especially dangerous for infants. Learn about whooping cough to protect the life of your little one.
Tweet This Post