Whooping Cough (pertussis)

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a serious infection that causes coughing spells so severe that it can be hard to breathe. The disease can even lead to cracked ribs, pneumonia or hospitalization. Adults and adolescents (parents, grandparents and older siblings) typically have a milder form of pertussis; however, they can easily spread the infection to infants and young children, who are at greatest risk of serious complications including death.

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of cases of pertussis, especially among teens and babies less than five months of age.  In 2010, California reported the largest outbreak in over 50 years, with 10 infant deaths in the first 10 months of the year.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a serious infection that causes coughing spells so severe that it can be hard to breathe. The disease can even lead to cracked ribs, pneumonia or hospitalization. Adults and adolescents (parents, grandparents and older siblings) typically have a milder form of pertussis; however, they can easily spread the infection to infants and young children, who are at greatest risk of serious complications including death.

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of cases of pertussis, especially among teens and babies less than five months of age.  In 2010, California reported the largest outbreak in over 50 years, with 10 infant deaths in the first 10 months of the year.

 The CDC recommends that adults receive one dose of pertussis vaccine. Pertussis vaccine is given in combination with tetanus and diphtheria vac¬cines (Tdap). Tdap should replace one of the every-10-year booster doses of Td recommended for all adults. In addition, the CDC has issued recommendations for specific adult populations:
 
¦    Adults who have not previously received Tdap and who have or who anticipate having close contact with infants younger than 12 monthsof age (e.g., parents, grandparents, childcare providers, healthcare workers)

¦    Healthcare personnel in hospitals or ambulatory care settings who have direct patient contact and have not previ¬ously received Tdap. Priority is given to vaccination of workers in direct contact with infants younger than 12 months of age.
 
¦    Tdap is recommended immediately post-partum for pregnant women who had their last Td vaccine at least 2 years but less than 10 years earlier. Women who received their last Td booster 10 or more years earlier should speak with their doctor about receiving either Td or Tdap during or immediately following the pregnancy.