Know the facts about whooping cough
Bordetella Pertussis may sound like a character in a 16th century opera and indeed it was first described in that age, but we know it better onomatopoeically as whooping cough. A bacterial infection that the Japanese call the 100-day cough, it’s identified by the sound made when the affected individual inhales.
The history of the disease is a roller coaster of epidemics and periods of remission. Thanks to the development of a vaccine in the 1940s, the disease all but disappeared for almost 30 years only to have resurgence in the 1980s. Epidemics have been reported nationally every three to five years, with the latest being in 2005, 2008 and 2010.
“Last year, in California alone, there were over 21,000 cases of whooping cough with more than 8,300 deaths of which 10 were infants,” Sandpoint pediatrician, Joyce Gilbert said. “The most vulnerable are babies up to 6 months old.”
“Infants are considered fully immunized if they have received three doses of DTaP spaced two months apart, the fourth dose is due six to nine months later,” Gilbert continued, “A booster shot of TdaP (which includes prevention of diphtheria and tetanus) should be given at age ten to twelve years, then every ten years thereafter.”
“In August of last year, we initiated the practice of inoculating new mothers before they leave the hospital.” Gilbert said. “And so far, the results have been good. We haven’t seen a new case since last fall.”
Par-ents, siblings, aunts and uncles are the ones who can pass on the infection. What may be just a nagging obnoxious cough to an adult can be life threatening to an infant. One of the concerns, according to Gilbert, is that an adult may not seek medical attention because the symptoms are not that severe.
Public awareness is of utmost importance. Vaccinations are only 85-90 percent effective. Plus, there are no lifetime antibodies. People who have contracted the disease do not develop immunity to whooping cough and a recurrence is possible, although not necessarily probable.
Teachers, students and, basically, any adults who are in regular contact with children should get their booster shots every decade.
Initial symptoms of whooping cough can include a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever with a mild cough, so one may think they’re just coming down with a common cold. However, after one to two weeks the cough may increase and difficulty in expelling the thick mucus from the airways will occur. During an attack, the patient can actually turn blue from lack of oxygen. Following an attack they may vomit and certainly will be exhausted.
Dr. Gilbert recommends parents of infants to seek medical care as soon as they show upper respiratory discomfort, runny nose, cough and/or fever. There are things that can be done.
“No child should be given over-the-counter medicines,” she advised, “Keep them warm, increase humidity or take a hot shower with them, aspirate their noses and keep them hydrated and well fed.”
“In the first one to two months of life the child’s immune system is so immature that I’m okay with them coming to see me even if they’ve only sneezed once,” Gilbert said, “Even after that, a child who shows a decrease of appetite or symptoms of a cold or an ear infection should come to see us.”
Parents should also think twice about taking their newborns to public places. The myriad of viruses and bacteria can be detrimental to the fragile infant. As often as possible, keep a child under two months old at home and if left with a baby sitter make sure they’ve had their TdaP booster!
Joyce Gilbert, MD is affiliated with Sandpoint Pediatrics, 420 N. Second Ave., and can be reached by phone at 265-2242.
Kathy Hubbard is a trustee on Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com, 264-4029. Some information source: www.medicinenet.com,