Living Well: Rise in Whopping Cough Cases

It’s a common disease in the U.S. But cases of Pertussis, or whooping cough, are on the rise. And seems to be higher this year than what we saw at this time last year.

Here’s what you need to know about whooping cough and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Cases of whooping cough are surging in the U.S. and are five times higher than they were at the same point last year, according to preliminary data from the CDC. Dr. Donald Dumford with the Cleveland Clinic says years ago, before the development of a vaccine, there were many more whooping cough cases. This year’s number of cases is more in line with pre-pandemic levels, but for those most vulnerable such as young children and the elderly, that’s concerning.

The CDC says early symptoms can mimic a common cold. One to two weeks after those start, there can be rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits. These can make it hard for a person to breathe and it can last up to 10 weeks.

Dr. Donald Dumford says the coughs can make you blue in the face and then there’s a very sharp intake of air that kind of causes this whooping sound. The best protection against whooping cough is vaccination. It’s typically given to young children but Dr. Dumford says it’s recommended for adults who haven’t received it, along with boosters.