Would you recognize Whooping Cough? On the rise across the country

**NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN** · Oct 6

Back in the 1990's got a call from my neighbor, unable to babysit my sons as her 15 month old had a cough for a few days, doctor said a cold. 15 days later, he was still coughing, so I dropped off groceries for her. As soon has I heard that dry high pitched whoopy cough on inspiration, knew it was Whooping Cough. She had delayed immunizations due to magazine stories at the time, gently told her needed to get to doctors TOMORROW as I was sure it was Whooping Cough. Peds partner confirmed it was Whooping Cough, was dehydrated and hospitalized child; she FIRED that Peds practice as 1st doctor admitted had no experience with illness. She was so remorseful re immunization delay for years.

Philadelphia Inquirer 10/4/24

Whooping cough cases are skyrocketing in Pennsylvania, which has more than any other state

Pennsylvania has reported 2,165 cases of the serious bacterial infection as of late September.

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....At this time in 2023, the state had reported 205 cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This year's cases represent a 956% increase from the year before.

The continued outbreak prompted a statewide alert from health officials in early September, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia re-instituted staff masking policies this Summer to better protect employees and patients....

Most of the pertussis outbreaks reported this year took place at middle schools, high schools, and colleges, state officials said.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia :What is pertussis?

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Commonly referred to as whooping cough, pertussis is a very contagious disease that can affect people of all ages. It is caused by a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis that's found in the mouth, nose and throat of infected people. The bacteria are spread through the air when an infected person coughs and sneezes. Pertussis is so contagious that 8 of 10 non-immune people will be infected when exposed to someone with the disease.

First stage (often lasts one to two weeks):

Mild cough

Low grade fever

Runny nose

Second stage (may last for several weeks):

Cough gets worse and comes in severe fits

Cough is dry and harsh

Cough ends with a whoop sound on inspiration

Newborns and young infants do not have the strength to develop a "whoop" sound and may have a hard time breathing

Child may vomit with the coughing and appear to be strangling on the vomit

Cough can be started by many factors, including feeding, crying, or playing

Third stage (usually begins around the fourth week):

Vomiting and the whooping cough cease first

The cough usually decreases around the sixth week, but may continue on occasion for the next one to 2 months

Treatment includes antibiotics, vaporizer, encourage fluids: water, juices, soups, fruits with high water content (applesauce, fruit cocktail liked by many kids); may need oxygen and hospitalization if prolonged vomiting and high fever resulting in dehydration.

Prevention: Immunization with DTaP vaccine

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Protection from pertussis through vaccination is provided by the DTaP vaccine — which stands for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. This vaccine is usually given to infants at 2, 4, 6, and 15 to 18 months of age, with a booster at 4 to 6 years of age.