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Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Update for the West Central Health District

 The West Central Health District is in the process of investigation and follow up of several family clusters of pertussis illness in our health district. 

Since January 1 of 2010 there have been 4 confirmed cases of pertussis (whooping cough) among West Central Health District residents.  Fortunately, there have been no associated deaths, and also no evidence of transmission of the illness outside of the family members.

With increasing numbers of pertussis cases being reported throughout Georgia, it is important for our residents to be aware of the importance of vaccination and the symptoms of this disease.

Although many children have been vaccinated against whooping cough at a young age, protection through vaccination has been found to decrease over time and a booster shot is necessary to assure adequate protection.  Please contact your physician or your local health department for information about vaccination.  Tdap vaccine can be given to people 10-64 years of age and is available at every health department in Georgia free of charge at this time regardless of insurance coverage. . 

Pertussis begins with symptoms that are often like those of the common cold.  Adults or children may have whooping cough and not know it. It usually starts with a runny nose, sneezing, even a mild fever, but after a week or two, a severe dry cough develops which can last for several weeks.  For older children, adolescents, and adults, the health impact can be limited, with symptoms clearing up without long-term effects. Unfortunately, infants who aren’t old enough to be adequately vaccinated can have serious complications.

At-risk populations include:

• Infants, especially those less than 2 months of age;

• Young children who have not received the recommended number of doses pertussis-containing vaccine before the age of seven (7); and
• Older children and adults (ages 10-64) who have not received a Tdap booster (available since 2005).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that infants and children with pertussis experience coughing spells so violent that they make a "whooping" sound when they inhale.  Pertussisis most severe for babies; more than half of infants less than one (1) year of age who get the disease must be hospitalized.  About one in twenty infants develop pneumonia and about one in one hundred have convulsions.  In rare cases, pertussis can be deadly, especially in infants.

Make sure you and your family are protected by taking the following steps:

• Get vaccinated.
  • All infants and children should receive age-appropriate doses of DTaP.
  • A booster dose of Tdap is routinely recommended for adolescents at 11-12 years of age when other vaccines are given and for older adolescents and adults even if it has been less than 10 years since their last Tetanus booster. 
• It is very important for females planning pregnancy, new mothers, and family members and caregivers of infants to be vaccinated with Tdap.
• Wash your hands frequently during the day using warm, soapy water or alcohol-based sanitizers.
• Cover your mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when you sneeze or cough.
• Avoid all contact with high-risk populations if symptoms appear.

If you think you might have pertussis or have been exposed to someone with pertussis contact your healthcare provider. If you are diagnosed with pertussis, cover your mouth when you cough, and avoid contact with persons at high risk of becoming infected, especially infants.  Stay home until you have completed 5 days of antibiotics recommended by your healthcare provider.

If you have any questions about pertussis, please contact the West Central Health District Public Information Officer at 706 321-6108.