Pertussis on the Rise: Why Vaccines Matter

This: a simple runny nose and tickling cough could turn into violent, whooping coughs that make you throw up or even break your ribs. That's pertussis, or whooping cough, and it's happening way more this year. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just updated their data, showing five times more cases this year compared to the same time last year. As of October 12, there were 18, 506 cases, while last year had only 3, 382. Why the jump? Well, while anyone can catch whooping cough, it's really tough on young kids. Their immune systems aren't fully developed yet, so they're more likely to have serious issues like pneumonia. And guess what? Kids often get it from older siblings or parents who might not even know they have it. That's because people can be contagious up to two weeks after they stop coughing. Whooping cough spreads through the air mainly in places like schools, daycares, and hospitals. So, how do we stay safe? Vaccines! The CDC recommends that kids get the DTaP vaccine and teens and adults get the TDaP vaccine. Vaccines help your body fight the disease before it gets too bad. If you catch pertussis in the first few weeks, antibiotics can help, but after that, it's all about resting and drinking plenty of fluids while your body fights it off. Remember, it's important to think critically about diseases like whooping cough. Learning about how they spread and how to prevent them can help keep you and your loved ones healthy.