Whooping cough cases spike among Pennsylvania high school students, health officials say

Health officials in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, are investigating a spike in cases of whooping cough, according to health officials.

The increase is “primarily among high school students,” the county’s Office of Public Health said.

Whooping cough, or pertussis as it’s called in the medical community, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that is spread through the air. Symptoms often appear similar to those of the common cold at first but develop into a prolonged, hacking cough, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fits of coughing and even vomiting after coughing are also common, the CDC said. The term “whooping cough” refers to the “whoop” noise people with the infection make when gasping for air.

“Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect against severe disease, hospitalization, and death,” the OPH said.

According to the CDC, vaccines don’t stop people from getting sick, but they usually keep infections more mild.

The CDC recommends everyone receive five doses of the pertussis vaccine between 2 months and 6 years of age, with a final dose at age 11 or 12.

However, it is because of this vaccine schedule that outbreaks among high-school-aged youth are common.

“Immunity from the vaccine does wane among adolescents and adults vaccinated during childhood, so it makes sense that the majority of cases we are seeing are among high school students,” the OPH said.

And while the current spike is concerning, the OPH said specific members of the community are at higher risk.

“Babies younger than 12 months, pregnant people and people with certain underlying health conditions are at risk for more severe illness,” it said.

Newborns are not able to receive their first vaccine dose until two months after birth. And even once they have this first dose, they are still vulnerable as they need two more doses to be fully protected.

According to the CDC, babies who contract whooping cough can struggle far more than adults, or even older children.

“Many babies with whooping cough don’t cough at all,” says the CDC. “Instead it may cause them to turn blue or struggle to breathe.”

For this reason, health officials suggest pregnant women get a pertussis vaccine in their third trimester.

“By doing so, she helps protect her baby from whooping cough in the first few months of life,” CDC officials said.

Pennsylvania health officials urge people in Montgomery County and surrounding areas to take action against severe infection and spread of the illness.

“People who have been exposed to pertussis and are coughing, or people who may be at higher risk for severe illness, should seek evaluation by a healthcare provider,” says the OPH. “People who live in communities where pertussis is circulating should also confirm that their family’s vaccinations are up to date.”

This story was originally published April 18, 2024 at 2:48 PM with the headline "Whooping cough cases spike among Pennsylvania high school students, health officials say."