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Whooping cough update from Seattle Children’s

August 4, 2010 | By Seattle Childrens More

Photomicrographic of the bacteria that causes whooping cough

Pertussis, the whooping cough bacteria -- CDC photo

You may have read it in the news; pertussis – or whooping cough – cases are on the rise in some areas of the country.

Infants and children who haven’t been immunized can get seriously ill if they get whooping cough.

Vaccination decreases the chance of outbreaks and protects everyone, both young and old, so make sure all family members stay up-to-date with their shots.

For children age 6 and under, follow the vaccine schedule recommended by your healthcare provider. For people ages 11 to 64, a one-time booster shot is recommended.

What is whooping cough?

Whooping cough is an infection of the respiratory system. It’s caused by the bacterium called “B. pertussis” so another name for whooping cough is pertussis.

Whooping cough spreads from person to person easily.

Is whooping cough a serious infection?

Whooping cough symptoms often start out looking like cold symptoms. Runny nose, sneezing and coughing are the first symptoms in most people.

After a week or two, the cough gets worse and coughing spells may develop. It can be hard to breathe during a coughing spell and your child may make a “whoop” sound at the end of a spell.

Your child may also vomit. Infants may not “whoop,” but may look like they’re having a hard time breathing and can turn red or bluish.

For babies, the infection can be very serious and require a hospital stay. Whooping cough can be life-threatening. Pneumonia, convulsions, dehydration and other complications may develop.

For older children, adolescents and adults, though not life-threatening, the cough typically takes 2-3 to months to resolve. (The disease has also been called the 100 day cough.)

How is whooping cough treated?

Because whooping cough is caused by a bacterial infection, it’s treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately antibiotics do not speed recovery, but do prevent further spread. Follow the instructions from your doctor carefully when given antibiotics.

Children who are so sick with whooping cough that they require care in the hospital will be supported by giving them oxygen, IV fluids and treatments to suction secretions from their respiratory tract to help them breathe.

How can I protect my family from whooping cough?

You can greatly reduce the chance of you or your child getting whooping cough by getting the pertussis vaccine.

It’s part of the DTaP vaccine which is given in 5 doses, most often at 2, 4, 6, and 15 to 18 months of age and 4 to 6 years of age.

Since 2006, a one-time booster shot (Tdap) has been recommended for people ages 11 to 64. All doses are needed for the best protection.

How can I protect my child who hasn’t had all of their immunizations yet?

You can protect newborns and children who haven’t yet had all of their immunizations by making sure your child’s caregivers and others who live in the home are fully vaccinated.

Ask your child’s healthcare provider if you have any questions about the vaccine or the dose schedule.

Also call your or your child’s healthcare provider if either of you have been near someone with whooping cough. Make the call even if you’ve had all of your immunizations.

Your provider will likely prescribe antibiotics to prevent you from getting whooping cough.