Whooping Cough (Pertussis):
What You Should Know
By Alan S. Peterson, M.D.
What is whooping cough, or pertussis?
Whooping cough can make you cough for several minutes at a time. After you cough, if you are a child, there may be a “whooping” sound when you breathe in. You might vomit or stop breathing for a few seconds after coughing. Whooping cough is also called pertussis. Infants who develop whooping cough can, as a complication, have severe respiratory problems and even die as a result. This occurs before their immunizations fully protect them.
What causes it?
A germ causes whooping cough. This is a type of bacteria. Other people can get the germ from the person with whooping cough. It’s quite contagious.
Your doctor can give you a shot to help prevent you from getting the disease. People of all ages can get whooping cough, although it is much less likely if they get the new shot or immunization to prevent it.
We have been immunizing infants and children up to 7 years old against whooping cough for many years. We now have an immunization to help prevent children 11 years of age and above as well as adults up to age 65. The name of the immunization for older children and adults is called Adacel. This immunization can be given any time as long as two years have past since that last tetanus booster, since the whooping cough shot is combined with tetanus and diphtheria immunizations.
This is extremely important in health care workers and in those who can have close association with the Amish. The Amish generally do not get many of the immunizations that are suggested for others. We do see pertussis in this area of the county each year. Many times it is from the Amish population who are unimmunized. However, it can be spread within our own family also.
Those of us who are 11 years of age up to 65 and have not been immunized with the new pertussis tetanus shot combination called Adacel are at risk because our antibodies have long since become undetectable from the immunizations that we had in our younger childhood.
Many times whooping cough is brought home by an adult that may have a significant cough and then transmitted to the children or infants in the family that has not been properly immunized. The disease is much more serious in the younger children and can cause death. This is one of the main reasons that we are trying to get older children and adults immunized against whooping cough now-to prevent spread to the younger generation.
Fifty-seven per cent of the time it is from an unknown person source. Mothers and fathers are the cause of pertussis in their child 47% percent of the time that a source is known. Grandparents and siblings cause 28% of the contagiousness.
This new immunization for older children and adults that includes the pertussis vaccine is to be given only once. In the future, if one needs another tetanus booster, a “regular” tetanus booster is what is to be given. It’s important for you to remember that.
How can my doctor tell if I have whooping cough?
Your doctor may ask you what your cough sounds like and what happens after you cough. You may need special tests to tell for sure if you have it. If you have had a cough for weeks already, it may be very difficult to come to a definite diagnosis, as it is hard to test for. Obviously if you have had contact with others who have had severe coughs that last, and if you have had contact with those definitely diagnosed with whooping cough, which would put you at a higher risk. If you have had contact with Amish that have a severe cough, that might put you at a higher risk.
What should I do if I have whooping cough?
You can take medicine to help it go away faster and to help stop other people from getting it from you. Some people who take this medicine get an upset stomach or diarrhea. Your doctor can tell you what medicine is best for you. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before you take any medication.
People with whooping cough should stay at home until they have taken the medication for at least five days. You may cough on and off for up to three months even after taking medication! Babies younger than one year of age may need to stay in the hospital to make sure they are eating and drinking enough and breathing normally.
Dr. Peterson is a doctor of Family and Community Medicine at the Walter L. Aument Family Health Center, 317 S. Chestnut St., Quarryville.