Whooping Cough Cases Soaring In The US, Showing No Signs Of Slowing Down: CDC Warns

Whooping cough: Amid harsh winter months when respiratory illnesses are anyway on the rise, stricter precautions have to be taken by health authorities in the US to slow down the spread of the dangerous disease that makes children especially vulnerable.

Whooping cough on the rise in the US: For several months now, cases of whooping cough have been surging in the United States of America, and not showing any signs of slowing down. This is a matter of great concern, because whooping cough -- which is also known as pertussis -- can affect people of all age groups, especially children. It is a highly-contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the respiratory tract and is characterised by painful coughing fits, often accompanied by a distinctive 'whooping' sound. The latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that cases of whooping cough are only increasing in the US. In fact, more than 32,000 cases have been reported thus far in this year, which is about six times higher than what it was at this time last year.

What Is Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough is a communicable bacterial infection caused by Bordetella pertussis, whose symptoms initially begin with mild cough, runny nose, and a low-grade fever. Then, it can progress to severe coughing fits, which involve intense, repetitive coughing, often with a 'whooping' sound. Sometimes, the coughing fits are so severe that patients may end up vomiting after a coughing episode, or even breaking their ribs. They are also likely to experience extreme exhaustion due to lack of sleep.

How Does Whooping Cough Spread?

It is possible for a patient to suffer from whooping cough for weeks, or even months. The constant coughing puts people around them at risk of getting the infection. Droplet transmission from an infected person through their respiratory droplets released during coughing can put others around them at risk. At the same time, being in close contact with an infected person can increase the risk of getting exposed to the bacteria.

Doctors warn that for some people, the infection can assume a mild form, and they may unknowingly spread the whooping cough bacteria, without even knowing that they have it themselves.

Whooping Cough Complications

Some health complications associated with whooping cough include respiratory failure, pneumonia, seizures, brain damage (in rare cases), and death (rare, and mostly seen in infants). Parents must know that while whooping cough can be dangerous for all age groups, children under the age of one are particularly susceptible, since their immune systems are not fully developed. Infants who have not had their recommended vaccine courses done, are at risk.

Protection From Whooping Cough

According to the CDC, vaccination is the best way to protect the body from whooping cough. It is imperative that children get the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine jab. The TDaP vaccine, which is a booster jab, is recommended for adolescents and adults.

Treatment For Whooping Cough

While prevention methods are known, treatment options for whooping cough include a course of antibiotics. Supportive care is also important, which includes rest, hydration, and cough management. If you suspect you or your child has a whooping cough, consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment immediately!

In the US, cases of whooping cough and other respiratory illnesses had dropped during the pandemic, because of limited social/face-to-face interactions amid lockdowns. But, according to the CDC, the US now seems to be returning to its pre-pandemic trend, when it comes to this contagious infection. Most affected states are Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Vaccination rates among US children have fallen, too.