Pertussis Outbreak: Whooping Cough on the Rise

My heart sank as I heard the familiar, gasping cough. I knew that sound all too well. Pertussis, or whooping cough, is back with a vengeance, and it's putting our children at risk.

I remember my own bout with whooping cough as a child. It was a torturous experience, with relentless coughing fits that left me unable to breathe. The worst part was the fear of suffocating.

Now, as a parent, I'm terrified of my children ever having to go through that. Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It's spread through coughing and sneezing, and it can be fatal, especially in infants.

The current outbreak is a reminder that whooping cough is not just a thing of the past. It's a serious threat, and we need to do everything we can to protect our children.

The good news is that there is a vaccine that is highly effective at preventing whooping cough. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all children get vaccinated at 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months of age.

I urge all parents to get their children vaccinated against whooping cough. It's the best way to protect them from this potentially deadly disease.

Warning Signs of Whooping Cough:

• Persistent coughing fits that can last for weeks


• A "whooping" sound during inhalation


• Vomiting or gagging after coughing


• Apnea (pauses in breathing) in infants

If you think your child may have whooping cough, it's important to see a doctor right away. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help prevent serious complications.

In addition to vaccination, there are other things we can do to help prevent the spread of whooping cough, such as:

• Covering our mouths and noses when we cough or sneeze


• Washing our hands frequently


• Staying home from work or school if we're sick

By taking these simple steps, we can help protect ourselves and our loved ones from whooping cough.

A Call to Action: Protect Our Children

I urge everyone to get vaccinated against whooping cough and to take other preventive measures. Together, we can stop this outbreak and protect our children from this dangerous disease.