Pertussis had a resurgence in 2010 as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a total of 21,000 cases of the infectious disease in the 2010 calendar year.
This is the highest number of cases nationally since the epidemic of 2005 and 2010 is one of the worst years in 50 years in the United States.
Whooping cough is caused by the bacteria, Bordetella pertussis. This vaccine-preventable disease is spread through direct contact with respiratory discharges via the airborne route. Pertussis goes through a series of stages in the infected person; initially a irritating cough followed by repeated, violent coughing. The disease gets its nickname by coughing without inhaling air giving the characteristic high-pitched whoop. Certain populations may not have the typical whoop like infants and adults.
The risks of not immunizing your child
It is highly communicable, especially in very early stages and the beginning of coughing episodes, for approximately the first 2 weeks. Then the communicability gradually decreases and at 3 weeks it is negligible, though the cough my last for months.
This is a very serious disease that can be fatal, though this is not common. Complications of pertussis include hypoxia, seizures and pneumonia. Most deaths occur in infants under 6 months who have not completed primary immunizations.
Pertussis is an endemic disease found worldwide. In this country, according to the CDC, outbreaks occur every 3-5 years. They say the last epidemic of pertussis in the United States was in 2005.
Those that are not immunized are susceptible to this disease. Young infants and school aged children (who are frequently the source of infection for younger siblings) are at greatest risk.
Comments
Why is no one doing anything about the illegal immigrants who are bringing this into the United States or are immigration admittance people allowing it? Go to Kmart or Walmart and you here whooping cough cases shopping. My first time of hearing whooping cough was at Kmart and my sister-in-law (who is a nurse) had to tell me what it was. I am 55 years old. Someone is dropping the ball. My heart went out to the women and her son who were having a terrible time coughing in front of us in the checkout line.
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