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Whooping cough — known medically as pertussis — is a highly
contagious respiratory tract infection. It is named after
the "whoop" sound children and adults sometimes make when
they try to breathe in during or after a severe coughing
spell. Whooping cough usually starts
with cold- or flu-like symptoms, such as runny nose,
sneezing, fever, and a mild cough. These symptoms can last
up to 2 weeks and are followed by increasingly severe
coughing spells. Fever, if present, is usually mild.
Although it initially resembles an ordinary cold,
whooping cough may eventually turn more serious,
particularly in infants. Whooping cough is most contagious
before the coughing starts. When you or your child
develops a cold that includes a prolonged or severe cough,
it may be pertussis. The best way to know is to contact
your doctor.
Pertussis Prevention
The best way to prevent pertussis is through vaccinations. DTaP
vaccine is recommended for and given to children; Tdap is
manufactured and recommended as a booster pertussis vaccine
for adolescents and adults. Both vaccines protect against
whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria.
Cocooning & Other Special Projects
Pertussis (whooping cough) is the only vaccine preventable
disease on the rise not only in Nevada, but world-wide. It
is currently epidemic in California, where over 8,400 cases
and 10 infant deaths have occurred in the past several
months. The goal of the Nevada State Health Division,
Immunization Program, is to promote education about,
providing immunizations and preventing illnesses and deaths
from pertussis in Nevada. We have developed several Special
Projects to assist in accomplishing these goals and believe
that our proactive approach, we will succeed! Click
here to read
more about these Special Projects!
Children
Vaccination against whooping cough is part of the normal
early childhood shots and boosters that children get before
grade school. Children are not adequately protected
until they’ve had at least three (3) shots, which is
why very young children are more at risk. A total of five
(5) shots are recommended for children by age 6. Protection
from the childhood whooping cough vaccines begins to wear
off 5-10 years after vaccination.
Make sure that people with close contact to your baby get
protected- these could include caretakers, family, friends
and play pals.
Adolescents and Adults
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommends adolescents- who have completed the recommended
childhood DTaP vaccination series and have not
received a Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster- receive one
(1) dose of Tdap.
The CDC also recommends Tdap vaccination to replace one (1)
dose of Td (tetanus and diphtheria) for all adults aged 19
to 64 years, especially:
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People who live with or take care of infants less than 1
year of age;
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Women who might become pregnant;
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New mothers- before leaving the hospital and
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Healthcare personnel
For more information, please click on the links below. To
discuss your concerns related to whooping cough, please feel
free to call or email the Nevada State Immunization Program. |
