Health officials sounded an alarm yesterday over a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses, including whooping cough and walking pneumonia, that is affecting school-age children.
In particular, parents of newborns are being worried by the safety concerns as cases of whooping cough have risen fourfold this year compared to last year, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious illness, particularly perilous to babies with delicate airways.
According to CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook, “It’s called whooping cough because of the gasp for air that follows a series of violent coughing fits.” It often won’t let babies breathe easily, but it might be easier for adults to resist the disease.
The good news is that the Tdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, can prevent this illness.
However, infants are not eligible for the vaccine until they are two months old and have to rely on adults around them being vaccinated. Unfortunately, only 44% of adults are up-to-date with shots.
There has been an increase of walking pneumonia among young children and above. Although the symptoms may be mild, they pose some serious complications if not watched closely.
Parents should monitor their children to develop symptoms of breathing difficulty and report to a healthcare provider whenever these symptoms occur.
Stay informed and all caught up with your vaccinations to keep your family safe this season.
