Whooping cough, which is also known as pertussis, is one of the most common infectious diseases that is on the planet today. It is dangerous because it creates coughing that is so spasmodic that it can cause injuries and life-threatening complications. Serious infections can happen to anyone, including adults, but infants are the most at risk. By knowing these interesting facts about the disease, you might be able to prevent an infection.
1. The vaccination is not a 100% guarantee.
In some outbreaks, in fact, the people who got whooping cough were more likely than not to have had the vaccination. It’s important to remember that even though the vaccination is not a 100% preventative, those who do get whooping cough and have been vaccinated tend to have a milder infection compared to those who didn’t get the infection. Considering whooping cough can last upwards of 10 weeks, reducing any severity is a good thing.
2. Infection rates of whooping cough are increasing.
The documented cases of whooping cough in the United States in 2012 were at their highest rates in nearly 50 years. Although worldwide there is an estimated 16 million cases of the disease annually, the biggest rates of increase are being seen in 7-10 year-olds. Officials are also seeing increases in the 13-14 year old demographic. This has been a trend that has existed for over three decades.
3. Half of all infants who get whooping cough must be hospitalized.
Because infants don’t generally get this vaccination until their immune systems have been able to develop, many doctors recommend that women receive the vaccine to give some immunities to their child after it is born. Although this won’t necessarily prevent an infant from getting the disease, it is believed to help prevent some of the more severe cases of it from spreading.
4. It can be treated with antibiotics.
Although whooping cough can last for weeks on end, the disease itself can be effectively treated with antibiotics. It may take a long-term course for severe infections to see improvement, but antibiotic treatment has a secondary benefit: it helps to prevent pertussis from spreading on further.
5. It can spread before people know they have it.
The reason why whooping cough is considered one of the world’s most serious infectious diseases is because it can spread before people even realize they are sick. The classic “whoop” of the cough doesn’t have to be present for people to be able to spread the germs. That’s the reasoning behind the recommendation of giving vaccinations to people who are in regular contact with infants, toddlers, and other at-risk population groups.
The whooping cough vaccination may wear off, but that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be received. Adults and older children can all benefit from receiving a booster shot. If you don’t know if you’ve had a Tdap update, then check with your doctor. Getting the vaccination might just save someone’s life, even if you don’t know it.