Cases of Pertussis, also known as “Whooping Cough”, are on the rise post-pandemic
Have you ever heard of whooping cough, also known as pertussis? Named after the telltale “whoop” sound people develop when taking a breath after a coughing fit, it is a bacterial infection that can pass from easily from person-to-person. Bacteria can enter the body through the mouth, eyes, or nose either by inhaling droplets in the air or sharing drinks, utensils, etc.
Over the past 4 years, precautions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic—like masking and remote work and school—quelled the transmission of pertussis. Presently, however, cases of pertussis on Cape Cod, in Massachusetts and nationally are already back to or exceeding pre-pandemic numbers of cases. There have been ten cases on Cape Cod in 2024 as of this publication, versus the 0 to1 cases per year that occurred when we were practicing respiratory precautions.
With other respiratory diseases going around, how can you recognize pertussis?
Pertussis progresses through 3 stages that can last weeks to months. If you have been exposed to pertussis, but haven’t yet developed symptoms, taking antibiotics can prevent getting sick altogether.
Symptoms/Stages:
- Stage 1 (1 to 2 weeks post-exposure), pertussis looks a lot like the common cold. An infected person might have mild symptoms of non-stop runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever and mild cough.
- Stage 2 (4 to 8 weeks post-exposure), sick people can experience severe coughing fits—so severe that they have difficulty catching their breath and can produce that telltale “whoop” sound as they try to inhale. These coughing fits can be so severe they cause vomiting. This a dangerous symptom for babies; babies can turn blue (hypoxic) from oxygen deprivation. These spasmodic coughing fits are often worse at night and can be exhausting and frightening. The cough can also progress to pneumonia.
- Stage 3 (weeks to months post-exposure), symptoms gradually improve. However, a second respiratory infection can trigger new coughing fits and spasms.
Why should you worry about pertussis?
The symptoms are unpleasant and lengthy! It also is especially dangerous to infants, who can experience gagging, gasping, slow heartbeat, exhaustion, low-grade fever, spasms, and pauses in breathing. Infants infected with pertussis don’t usually have the characteristic “whoop” and might not even cough much; don’t wait for these telltale symptoms to seek medical care! Two out of three babies with pertussis are hospitalized and in severe cases they can die. If you have respiratory symptoms, regardless of what it is, consider staying away from vulnerable members of the community including the very young and the very old.
Vaccination
Getting vaccinated with Tdap (for adults) or Dtap (for children) is the best way to prevent getting sick with whooping cough in the first place. Immunity to pertussis provided by the vaccine can wane over time so you may need a booster. Call your doctor or Barnstable County Public Health Nursing Program at (508) 375-6617 to discuss and schedule a vaccination appointment today!
Visit our Website for Updates!
We’ve created a pertussis page tailored to Cape Cod and the Islands. The page includes valuable information for the public and healthcare providers alike.
Resources
- Video from Akron Children’s hospital that we can put a QR code: Pertussis (whooping cough) – Akron Children’s Hospital video (youtube.com)
- August 20, 2024 MA DPH clinical advisory: Clinical Advisory August 20, 2024: Pertussis is spreading in Massachusetts, particularly among adolescents.
- Pinkbook: Pertussis | CDC
- Communication and print materials for pertussis prevention: Communication and Print Resources | CDC
- CDC Guide to Surveillance Reporting and Control: Chapter 10: Pertussis | Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases | CDC
- MA DPH Guide to Surveillance Reporting and Control: Guide to Surveillance, Reporting and Control | Mass.gov
Graphic from CDC about optimal timing for testing from Chapter 10: Pertussis | Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases | CDC.