There is a notable pertussis (whooping cough) surge across the country. For a sense of the magnitude, here in Washington State, there are already 1,252 cases this year compared to just 51 for all of last year. These numbers reflect the national trend.
Here are some Data-Driven answers to questions you may have:
What is pertussis, and why is it also called whooping cough?
For anyone who has ever spoken or studied a Romance language, “tuss” / “tous” may look familiar due to the roots in Latin’s tussis (cough). Pertussis is the formal name, but "whooping cough" is illustrative of what the infection does — it causes intense, prolonged coughing fits such that when someone finally manages to breathe in, they make a distinctive high-pitched "whoop" sound. It's worth noting: not everyone makes this sound, particularly the very young or elderly. You can listen to what it sounds like here.
What about vaccines — who needs them, and when?
This is important. The vaccine series starts at two months and includes regular boosters throughout life. There's a special recommendation for pregnant women — vaccination between 27 and 36 weeks since the placental transfer of antibodies can yield protection. This timing matters because a newborn is especially vulnerable yet cannot be vaccinated for the first two months.
If I'm vaccinated, am I protected?
Yes, but not completely. With vaccination, infection is much less likely, and when it occurs, the illness tends to be shorter and less severe.
Is it serious?
It can be. Before we had vaccines, roughly 9,000 American children died annually from pertussis. Adjusted for today's population, that would be more than 16,000 deaths yearly. For perspective, in a bad flu year, there are approximately 200 pediatric deaths.
Can't we just treat it with antibiotics?
Yes and no — timing is crucial here. While antibiotics can help, they can't undo the damage already done by bacterial toxins. Recognition and early treatment are key to effective antibiotic use.
Before we had vaccines, roughly 9,000 American children died annually from pertussis. Adjusted for today's population, that would be 16,000 deaths yearly.
For perspective, in a bad flu year, there are approximately 200 pediatric deaths.
What actions can I take to protect my family?
Importantly, stay current with vaccines. Check your records for the DTaP and /or Tdap vaccines — that "P" stands for pertussis. A booster every ten years is sufficient for most adults, with pregnancy being the exception. If you have an infant too young for vaccination, reducing their exposure to others during those first few months of life can help.
With vaccines, timely treatment, and your healthcare provider’s guidance, any pertussis infection, in the words of the classic 90s song*, is likely to be a short, mild “Whoop, there it went!” experience.
*Whoomp! (There It Is) by Tag Team