In a typical year, three or four cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, are reported to the Health Department from its four-county district. So far this year, six cases of pertussis from Emmet County alone have been reported, confirming the need to raise awareness about vaccination against pertussis and many other communicable diseases.
“National Infant Immunization Week is a good reminder to review your family’s immunization records and make sure everyone’s immunizations are up-to-date,” said Pat Fralick, Director of Family & Community Health at the Health Department of Northwest Michigan.
Children should receive the DTaP immunization, which provides protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, at two, four, six and fifteen months and again between ages four and six years. The protection received from pertussis vaccinations administered in childhood begins to wear off after five to ten years, leaving preteens, teenagers, and adults at risk.
“The best way to help prevent preteens, teenagers, and adults from getting pertussis is to make sure they receive the Tdap booster shot. It also protects against tetanus and diphtheria,” said Fralick.
All preteens and teenagers should receive a single Tdap booster between age 11 and 18. Adults up to age 65 can also get the Tdap booster to reduce their risk of getting whooping cough.
Whooping cough starts with a runny nose, mild fever, and mild cough, similar to a common cold. Then symptoms progress to severe spasms of coughing that can interfere with eating, drinking, and breathing. Infants and younger children often have more severe symptoms than older children, adolescents, and adults.
Anyone with whooping cough should stay home and away from public activities, including school, daycare, and work, to avoid exposing others. “They should be treated with certain antibiotic medications,” said Joshua Meyerson, MD, Medical Director for the Health Department. “If given early enough, antibiotics can limit the spread of whooping cough to others. A course of preventive antibiotic therapy may also be recommended for other members of the household and other close contacts of a person being treated for whooping cough.”
In addition to making sure immunizations are up-to-date, everyone can help prevent the spread of communicable diseases by taking the following precautions:
- Washing hands frequently
- Covering mouth and nose when coughing
- Staying home from school and work when sick
- Contacting your health care provider if they have a prolonged or severe cough.
Public health officials say vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death.
“In our grandparents’ time, before the development of vaccines, infectious diseases like polio, diphtheria, and pertussis were commonplace, causing deaths of many, especially children.” Meyerson said. “Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. They not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases.”
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