California is experiencing a peak year for pertussis
– whooping cough – its worst since 2005, according to the local
public health department.
California is experiencing a peak year for pertussis – whooping cough – its worst since 2005, according to the local public health department. To date in 2010, California has had 584 reported cases and five infant deaths, all of whom were less than three months of age. Actual 2010 case numbers, especially in nonfatal cases, are even higher because of delayed reporting from clinicians and local health departments, according to a statement.
Things to know about pertussis:
– Whooping cough is highly contagious and infants are particularly vulnerable.
– All five deaths this year involved infants under three months old.
– Vaccination starts at two months of age, but full protection doesn’t occur until six months of age.
– Kids get a total of five doses of vaccine before kindergarten.
– Parents, family members and caregivers of infants should be re-vaccinated to provide a cocoon of protection around them.
– Neither vaccination nor illness from whooping cough provides lifetime immunity.
– The vaccine wears off by the time a child finishes middle school.
– Most infants with whooping cough get it from their parents.
– Whooping cough starts with a cough and runny nose for one to two weeks.
– It’s followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits that end with whooping sound.
– Some cases in children and adults may go unrecognized by physicians.
– Timely vaccination or re-vaccination of close contacts can protect an infant from people with undiagnosed pertussis There are also antibiotics which can be given to close contacts after known exposure to pertussis to prevent transmission to infants in their care.
For more information about whooping cough, please call your health care provider. You may also call the Health Department at (831) 637-5367 or check the California Department of Public Health’s website at www.cdph.ca.gov.
