Protection from Whooping Cough

Whooping cough has sprung up in communities across the country and it affects people of all ages. If you have not heard of this serious infection again, chances are you will. But protection against whooping cough is available to you and your family.

Whooping cough, known medically as pertussis, can be tricky. At first it may appear like a common cold or bronchitis. However, infection can develop into an uncontrollable cough that can cause difficulty breathing and sleeping and even broken ribs. It takes many months to recover and you may miss school or work. Worse, whooping cough is very contagious, so that other family members get sick, too.

Children whooping cough vaccine eventually run out, leaving adolescents and adults at risk for whooping cough capture and disseminate to others. That is why it is very important to get a booster vaccine to protect against whooping cough.

A mother infected with whooping cough may give the infection to her baby, who may be too young to actually protected by childhood vaccines. Babies also tend to suffer more serious complications, so the hospitalization and sometimes death.

"Whooping cough can be a serious infection, regardless of age," said infectious disease specialist and NFID Medical Director Susan J. Rehm, MD "But babies are at greatest risk, so the nanny-mother, father, grandparents must make prevention a priority."

Whooping cough booster vaccine called Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis). It also protects against tetanus and diphtheria, two other infectious diseases that increase required from time to time. Tdap is a new vaccine, so contact your doctor before your next appointment to make sure it is in stock.