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Winter Warning About Whooping Cough
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By Dana Sullivan for Your Baby Today
First the good news: The vaccine against whooping
cough, also called pertussis, is very effective and has dramatically
decreased the overall incidence of the life-threatening illness
in this country.
Now the bad news: According to the Centers for Disease Control,
the disease is on the rise. Since the 1980s, the number of people
who have contracted whooping cough has risen steadily. Between 5,000
and 7,000 people in the United States still contract the disease
each year (which is down from the hundreds of thousands who got
it before the vaccine was created), and an average of five to 10
children die from it. The deaths tend to occur in children who are
unvaccinated, either because their parents choose not to vaccinate,
or because they are so young they haven't yet received their primary
immunizations. Infants under one year are at the greatest risk of
contracting the illness.
Whooping cough, caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, is
an infection of the respiratory system. The bacteria get into the
lining of the breathing passages, causing inflammation and narrowing
the airways. The disease starts out with symptoms like a common
cold -- runny nose, sneezing, red and watery eyes, mild fever, and
a dry cough -- which last for one to two weeks. If you're worried
that your child's cold is something more serious, here are some
signs to watch for:
- A dry cough that becomes wet, and may include coughing up stringy
mucus.
- Coughing spells that last for as long as a minute, with deep
inhalations between coughs.
- Signs of shortness of breath, including a bluish tint around
the mouth and fingertips.
- A cough that includes a "whooping" sound (though some
infants don't make this sound).
- Teary eyes, drooling, or vomiting following a coughing spell.
If you notice any of these symptoms, call your pediatrician immediately.
If your child is diagnosed with pertussis (to make the diagnosis,
your pediatrician will take a swab from her nose and have the cells
tested for the bacteria) she will be likely be given antibiotics,
and may be admitted to the hospital where she will be observed,
and possibly given fluids and oxygen, depending on the severity
of her illness.
The disease is very contagious since it's spread through coughing
and sneezing, so it's a good idea to keep your infant away from
anyone who has a serious cough, just in case. The disease is rarely
life-threatening for adults, and the best defense against it is
immunization (though the vaccine doesn't provide 100 percent protection).
Pertussis is the "P" in the DTaP vaccine and is typically
given at 2 months; two more doses are given before the first birthday,
and a fourth is administered at the 15-18 month check-up; a fifth
dose is recommended at 4 to 6 years.
Nevada-based freelance writer Dana Sullivan is a frequent contributor
to Your Baby Today and also writes for Fit Pregnancy and Parenting.
She's mom to Liam, 4, and Julia, 2.
The content on these pages is provided as general information
only and should not be substituted for the advice of your physician.
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