WASHINGTON — Whooping cough cases are continuing to rise in the United States, with new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that there are five times as many cases this year than at this point last year.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a common respiratory illness in the U.S.
It may be difficult to identify because its symptoms are so similar to those of other respiratory bacteria and viruses, which often circulate at the same time as whooping cough.
While whooping cough can be serious for all ages, children younger than 1 are particularly sensitive because their immune systems are still developing.
Whooping cough spreads through bacteria transmitted through the air.
WASHINGTON — According to new data, the number of whooping cough cases in the US is still on the rise. A. There are five times as many cases this year as there were at this time last year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the data, which was updated on Thursday, there were 18,506 cases as of the week ending October. 12. 3,382 cases were reported at the same time last year.
In the United States, whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a common respiratory disease. A. Given how closely its symptoms resemble those of other respiratory bacteria and viruses that frequently circulate concurrently with whooping cough, it could be challenging to diagnose.
A low-grade fever, a tickly cough, and a runny nose are the initial signs of the infection. A severe full-body cough follows a week or two later as it progresses into a new stage.
Patients may vomit or break their ribs as a result of these coughing fits, which are frequently accompanied by a whooping sound as the person tries to catch their breath.
If the infection is discovered in the first few weeks, before the painful, exhausting cough appears, antibiotics can cure it. The only course of treatment is comfort care, which includes getting lots of rest and drinking lots of water while the infection clears up.
Children under one year old are especially vulnerable because their immune systems are still developing, even though whooping cough can be dangerous for people of all ages. For infants and young children who have not received all of the recommended vaccinations, this is particularly true.
Some babies struggle to breathe instead of coughing. Babies who have not received all of their recommended vaccinations are at a higher risk of experiencing severe side effects like pneumonia and, in rare instances, encephalopathy.
Bacteria spread by the air cause whooping cough. The infection is most frequently transmitted in hospitals, daycare facilities, and schools.
Up to two weeks after coughing, many people can still spread the disease. This is the number of kids who contract the virus from parents, older siblings, or other caregivers who might not be aware of their own infection.
