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PHOENIX (FOX 10) – Pertussis cases are returning to the United States. Known officially as whooping cough, the highly contagious respiratory infection causes severe coughing fits that mimic a "whooping cough" sound.
Despite vaccination, health officials have seen an increase in the number of cases in recent decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there were fewer than 2,000 cases in the United States in the 1970s and 1980s, but that number rose to more than 48,000 in 2012. And while these numbers are down from this peak, they are still not as low as when the vaccine was made available.
Pertussis studies of the Journal of the American Medical Association to say that unvaccinated children contribute to epidemics.
"Whooping cough can cause serious illness in infants, children, adolescents and adults." Symptoms of whooping cough usually develop within five to ten days of exposure. do not develop before three weeks, "according to the CDC.
Early symptoms that may last from one to two weeks are: runny nose, low fever, occasional mild cough, and apnea.
After one to two weeks, advanced symptoms appear as the disease progresses: rapid cough followed by high-pitched sound, vomiting, and exhaustion.
The CDC recommends that babies receive DTaP, a series of injections combining a vaccine, including pertussis, starting at the age of two months. This can help protect against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.
"It's important to know that many babies with whooping cough do not cough at all, instead they stop breathing and become blue."
They also recommend that adults receive a booster injection, called Tdap, every 10 years. It also contains protection against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough.
Online:
Signs and symptoms of whooping cough
Pertussis vaccination information
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