Whooping cough or pertussis is on the rise in several parts of the United States, but authorities have said that this isn't something to be alarmed of after all there is a vaccine to counter it.
While the cases of whooping cough is continuously rising especially in Nevada, with Clark County having 103 documented cases of the said illness for this year as of late, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised everyone to keep their cool since there are actually proven ways to avoid the possibility of contracting whooping cough, and one of which is through vaccine.
Whooping cough or pertussis, a bacterial and highly contagious respiratory infection caused by "Bordetella pertussis." In its early stage, it tends to resemble the typical or ordinary cold, with light bouts of coughing, but as it gradually develops into its more serious form, there is an obvious change in the pattern and manner of coughing, a wheezy sound of breath can be heard after every cough, particularly in infants.
Many people receive whooping cough vaccine, DTaP, as infants, with the initial dosage given at 2 months. However, CDC recently said that adults, who may have had undergone pertussis vaccination, should update their immune status against the bacteria since the drug can wear off over time.
WebProNews reported that although there has been a significant decrease in the number of cases over the past decade, some areas in the U.S. suffer from higher rates. Las Vegas Review Journal noted that about 16,000 whooping cough cases have been recorded as of September 15 in 13 states including Nevada, a much higher figure compared to that of 2012. However, no deaths have been recorded in Nevada thus far.
Infection-Prevention Specialist in Canton-Potsdam Hospital in New York Nancy Wood said that the increase in whooping cough cases can be accounted to the fact that many people have not undergone pertussis vaccination. "Older people who haven't gotten whooping cough vaccination are getting whooping cough and then giving it to the children," Wood said, adding that many parents are reluctant to have their kids vaccinated as well, not knowing that their little toddlers become vulnerable to the infection the bacteria is capable of causing.
According to CDC, one reason why many parents are apprehensive when it comes to have their kids vaccinated is the potential side effects involved, ranging from mild seizure, high fever, serious allergic reaction, to long-term seizures, coma, lowered consciousness, and permanent brain damage. Thus, it is not surprising why the choosing the pertussis vaccine is fairly controversial.
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