No Ordinary Cough

Pertussis, or Whooping Cough, is making a comeback. All states on the West Coast have seen record setting numbers of cases this past year, with over a dozen deaths occurring in California just this past summer. Whitman County has recorded several cases this year, and counties around Whitman have also seen increased numbers of pertussis.

Pertussis is a bacterial disease that causes severe inflammation and narrowing in the respiratory passages. It usually begins with a runny nose and a mild cough, but after a week or two of fairly mild illness, symptoms get much worse. The cough becomes severe, often occurring in prolonged fits or spasms that make it hard to breathe. A characteristic inspiratory “whoop” may be heard after these coughing spells. The bronchial narrowing and inflammation caused by pertussis may be life threatening in children with small airways, especially those under one year of age.

Pertussis is spread easily between people as it is carried on respiratory droplets created during coughing or sneezing. At the beginning of last century, pertussis was a common illness that caused untold amounts of suffering and death. With the advent of a safe and effective vaccine, pertussis was nearly eliminated as a threat to health.

Infants are immunized for pertussis at two, four, and six months of age as part of the Diphtheria, Tetanus and acellular Pertussis vaccine (DTaP). Even with three shots, immunity is only partial and two more shots are given before school entry to ensure complete coverage. Immunity from DTaP wears off with time however, and a booster shot (Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis or ‘Tdap’) is needed by age 11 to keep pertussis at bay.

All adults age 18 and over should also get a pertussis booster (Tdap) one time in place of a regular tetanus booster (‘Td’), especially if they work or live with children or infants. That’s because adults can harbor pertussis bacteria in their throat and transmit it to susceptible persons. It doesn’t matter when your last tetanus booster was given; you can receive Tdap now. Ask your doctor or public health office if you are unsure of your immunization status or the immunization status of your family members.

Pregnant women should get a Tdap booster immediately after delivery in order to protect their baby prior to the initiation of the DTaP series. Adult family members of pregnant women should get a Tdap now. Adults over the age of 65 who take care of small children should talk to their medical provider about receiving a Tdap booster too (currently, the Tdap is only FDA licensed for persons under age 65).

For further information on pertussis vaccine, check the CDC website at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/default.htm

As always, we welcome your comments or questions.