Dr. Nathan Money is a pediatric hospitalist at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital

(PRUnderground) November 29th, 2024

Pertussis, better known as whooping cough, is on the rise.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the CDC recently reported more than 18,500 cases of pertussis nationwide so far this year, compared to just 4,157 at this time last year. That’s the most at this point since 2014, when the CDC reported.

Pertussis cases have been reported in Utah, but in small numbers, and by mid-October Utah had a few fewer cases than it did at the same time in 2023.

But in neighboring Idaho, there were more than 400 cases, compared to just 15 the same time last year, the CDC reports. Arizona’s 508 cases are more than double the number reported this time last year, and Colorado’s 454 cases are more than triple the number reported a year ago.

“Pertussis is highly contagious, and we are concerned that the number of cases could rise as more people opt of out recommended preventive vaccines,” said Nathan Money, DO, pediatric hospitalist at University of Utah Health and Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “Pertussis is preventable. Getting vaccinated is the way to prevent it and decrease its severity. It can save kids from an awful illness and save babies’ lives.”

Pertussis can cause uncontrollable, violent coughing that often ends with a deep “whooping” sound as the person tries to catch their breath. Pertussis makes it hard to breathe, eat, or drink.

“Pertussis can be very serious for babies and young children, causing pneumonia, convulsions, brain damage, or even death. About 1 in 3 babies who get pertussis have to be hospitalized, often for more than a week, and preterm infants are at especially high risk for complications,” Dr. Money said. “Teens and adults infected with whooping cough may experience loss of bladder control, passing out, and rib fractures from severe coughing.”

The CDC recommends everyone get the pertussis vaccine. It is safe and effective. For young children, the vaccine is given in a 5-dose DTaP series, with the first at 2 months of age, and the last around kindergarten age. Because immunity fades over time, another dose is recommended for kids around age 11 or 12. Additionally, expectant mothers in their third trimester can get a booster to pass protection against the disease to their newborns.

But more people are opting out of vaccines such as DTaP. Utah is reporting rising numbers of kindergartners with immunization exemptions, particularly in the southwest. Statewide, 88.2 percent of kindergartners meet school immunization requirements.

Decreased immunization rates can lead to outbreaks. Children who are not immunized against pertussis are eight times more likely to get it than those who are vaccinated. Pertussis is highly contagious, and spreads person-to-person through coughs, sneezes, laughs – anything that produces a spray that can be breathed in by someone else.

Adults can also be vaccinated against pertussis to help prevent the spread of the disease. The CDC recommends all adults who have not received a vaccination in the last 10 years receive one. Pregnant people should get a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy, preferably between 27 and 36 weeks’ gestation.

Here’s how you can practice prevention and stop the spread:

  • Make sure everyone in your family is immunized with the pertussis vaccine.
  • During a pertussis outbreak in your area, keep any unimmunized children home from school or daycare and out of social gatherings. Your unimmunized child can rejoin these activities two weeks after the last reported case.
  • Wash your hands often and well, and have children do the same.
  • Disinfect tables, toys, counters, and other surfaces regularly.
  • Cover your sneezes and coughs.
  • Use a tissue once, then throw it away and wash your hands.

Here’s when you should seek help from a health care provider:

  • Severe coughing spells (may end in a whooping sound, gasping for air, loss of consciousness, vomiting).
  • Any other breathing problems (such as periods of not breathing, very fast or very slow breathing, noisy breathing).
  • Signs of low oxygen (bluish or purple skin or lips).
  • Fever that lasts longer than 3 days — or fever higher than 100.2°F in an infant 3 months or younger.
  • Fussiness, poor eating, sleepiness, or low energy in a baby.
  • Signs of dehydration (dry mouth and eyes, little urine, low energy).
  • Any severe symptoms or symptoms that last longer than 7 days.

See GermWatch at Intermountainhealth.org for more information.

About Intermountain Health

Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a not-for-profit system of 34 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For up-to-date information and announcements, please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https://intermountainhealthcare.org/news.

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