Whooping cough or pertussis, is a contagious disease that mainly affects infants and young children. The illness causes violent spells of coughing that make it hard to eat, drink, or even breathe. The cough is accompanied by a high-pitched whoop that comes from gasping for breath after a coughing episode. Whooping cough is caused by bacteria that attach to the cells in the airway. A substance is produced that inflames and narrows the airway. As a result, the lungs cannot clear the mucus. Pneumonia may develop. Other complications include ear infections, loss of appetite, and dehydration. Over half of the 1,000 to 4,000 cases reported annually in the United States each year are in children under 1 year old.

The disease is spread to others through coughing or sneezing the bacteria into the air. It can be transmitted from 7 days following exposure to 3 weeks after onset of the spasmodic coughing. After exposure, the first symptoms of illness usually begin in 5 to 10 days. It can take as long as 21 days. The early symptoms are similar to that of a common cold. Coughing gradually becomes more severe. After 1 to 2 weeks, spasmodic bursts of numerous, rapid coughs occur. This is a response to the buildup of the mucous in the lining of the airways. A child may turn blue, vomit, or become exhausted during a coughing attack. On an average, a child will experience 15 coughing attacks in a 24 hour period. The attacks occur more often at night. Coughing may last as long as 10 weeks. Recovery is gradual. Coughing attacks can recur with other respiratory infections for many months thereafter.

A child's age and the severity of illness determine the medical care. Older children may be treated at home. Infants need special care and probably will have to be admitted to the hospital. Care generally includes:
* antibiotics to help fight the bacteria and make the child less contagious,
* close observation, sometimes in an intensive care setting, and
* oxygen and intravenous fluids.

Immunity against whooping cough comes with vaccination with the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine. A series of 5 shots are given with one at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, between 12 months and 18 months, and between ages 4 and 6 years. Protection provided by the vaccine tends to wear off and adolescents and adults can acquire the disease if exposed to the germ. The vaccine is associated with reactions which should be discusses with your provider before its administration, but the benefits far outweigh the risk of vaccine complications.

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