Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is making an alarming comeback, with a huge rise in cases in 2024. According to Dr. Dahlia Phillips, an infectious disease doctor and medical director at MetroPlusHealth, the U.S. is seeing nearly five times more cases than last year, with places like New York City reporting a big jump—from 159 cases last year to 427 this year. The CDC shows cases are up by 169% nationwide, Parade reports.
Whooping cough is highly contagious and often affects babies the most, but it can impact children and adults too. The Cleveland Clinic describes pertussis as a respiratory infection caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria.
These bacteria stick to the tiny hair-like linings in the respiratory system, releasing toxins that irritate and inflame the airways, which can make breathing painful and difficult.
The typical symptoms, like severe coughing fits and a high-pitched “whoop” sound, may not appear for weeks, says Dr. Phillips. Dr. Amy Edwards, an infectious disease specialist at Case Western Reserve University, also tells Parade that these symptoms can last up to three months. The illness is generally not deadly, but it can be serious for babies and people with certain health conditions, like chronic lung issues.
Unexpected signs of whooping cough can resemble a cold, starting with a runny nose, congestion, and fever, making it hard to detect early. Another symptom to watch for is vomiting after coughing spells, according to Dr. Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe. This misleading similarity to a cold is what makes pertussis tricky to catch and treat right away, Parade explains.
Experts link this recent surge to people missing vaccines or boosters. Dr. Phillips explains that immunity from the pertussis vaccine fades over time, and adults often skip booster shots, which lowers immunity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, whooping cough cases dropped because of social distancing and mask-wearing, but with these measures gone, the number of cases is rising again.
If diagnosed with whooping cough, early treatment with antibiotics can help prevent spreading it to others.
Dr. Edwards advises getting vaccinated, as the vaccine helps most people avoid serious symptoms and reduces the risk of complications or hospitalization.
Adults and older children should receive the TDAP vaccine, while babies and young children need the DTaP version to stay protected.
For more information on symptoms, prevention, and treatment, check out sources like Parade for the latest updates on whooping cough.
https://parade.com/health/unexpected-whooping-cough-symptoms-according-to-infectious-disease-experts