Vaccines
WINTER WARNING ABOUT WHOOPING COUGH
By Dana Sullivan
First the good news: The vaccine against whooping cough, also called
pertussis, is very effective and has dramatically decreased the overall
incidence of the life-threatening illness in this country.
Now,
the bad news: According to the Centers for Disease Control, the disease
is on the rise. Since the 1980s, the number of people who have
contracted whooping cough has risen steadily. Between 5,000 and 7,000
people in the United States still contract the disease each year (which
is down from the hundreds of thousands who got it before the vaccine
was created), and an average of five to 10 children die from it. The
deaths tend to occur in children who are unvaccinated, either because
their parents choose not to vaccinate, or because they are so young
they haven't yet received their primary immunizations. Infants under
one year are at the greatest risk of contracting the illness.
Whooping
cough, caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, is an infection of
the respiratory system. The bacteria get into the lining of the
breathing passages, causing inflammation and narrowing the airways. The
disease starts out with symptoms like a common cold -- runny nose,
sneezing, red and watery eyes, mild fever, and a dry cough -- which
last for one to two weeks. If you're worried that your child's cold is
something more serious, here are some signs to watch for:
- A dry cough that becomes wet, and may include coughing up stringy mucus
- Coughing spells that last for as long as a minute, with deep inhalations between coughs
- Signs of shortness of breath, including a bluish tint around the mouth and fingertips
- A cough that includes a "whooping" sound (though some infants don't make this sound)
- Teary eyes, drooling or vomiting following a coughing spell
If
you notice any of these symptoms, call your pediatrician immediately.
If your child is diagnosed with pertussis (to make the diagnosis, your
pediatrician will take a swab from her nose and have the cells tested
for the bacteria), she will most likely be given antibiotics, and may
be admitted to the hospital where she will be observed, and possibly
given fluids and oxygen, depending on the severity of her illness.
The
disease is very contagious since it's spread through coughing and
sneezing, so it's a good idea to keep your infant away from anyone who
has a serious cough, just in case. The disease is rarely
life-threatening for adults, and the best defense against it is
immunization (although the vaccine doesn't provide 100 percent
protection). Pertussis is the "P" in the DTaP vaccine and is typically
given at 2 months; two more doses are given before the first birthday,
and a fourth is administered at the 15-18 month check-up; a fifth dose
is recommended at 4 to 6 years.
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About The Author
Nevada-based freelance writer Dana Sullivan is a frequent contributor to Your Baby Today and also writes for Fit Pregnancy and Parenting. She's mom to Liam, 4, and Julia, 2.
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