The Duval County Health Department (DCHD) is monitoring an increase in reported cases of pertussis (Whooping Cough).  While the rise in local cases is not unusual, it is important for parents to follow required immunization recommendations. Pertussis is a bacterial illness that is easily spread person to person by coughs and sneezes. People sick with pertussis have severe coughing attacks that can last for months.

Pertussis in children and adults starts with a cough and runny nose for one-to-two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits that sometimes end with a whooping sound. Fever is rare.  (Listen to what pertussis in an infant sounds like: Sound of Pertussis) 

Recent cases have occurred in people who have not received all recommended doses of the pertussis vaccine (DTaP) or who were young to be immunized.  Vaccination is the best defense against whooping cough. However, the protection from vaccines wears off over time and few teens and adults receive booster vaccines to continue protection. As a result, pertussis continues to circulate, causing hospitalization and death of young infants who are too young to get their shots. 

The pertussis vaccine is safe for children and adults. The pertussis vaccination series can begin when an infant is 6 weeks of age. Infants, however, are not completely protected by vaccination until the first series of three shots is complete. Children need five doses of DTaP by kindergarten (ages 4-6) and a Tdap booster by age 11. All teens and adults are also recommended to receive Tdap boosters.

Pregnant women may be vaccinated against pertussis before pregnancy, during pregnancy or after giving birth. Fathers may be vaccinated at any time, but preferably before the birth of their baby.

Others who may have contact with infants, including family members, healthcare workers, and childcare workers, should also be vaccinated. Individuals should contact their regular health care provider or local health department to inquire about pertussis vaccination.

 -For more information about the DTaP or Tdap vaccination, contact the Duval County Health Department Immunization Center at (904) 253-1420 or visit them on the web at http://www.dchd.net/immunizations.htm

-If you or a family member has recently been diagnosed with pertussis, contact the Duval County Health Department Epidemiology Program at (904) 253-1850 for more information.

The Sound of Pertussis

http://www.soundsofpertussis.com/

CDC Pertussis Disease - Questions & Answers (Whooping Cough)
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/dis-faqs.htm

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) –
What You Need To Know
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Pertussis/

What is Pertussis (Whooping Cough)?

Pertussis is a bacterial illness that is easily spread person to person by coughs and sneezes. People sick with pertussis have severe coughing attacks that can last for months.

Why are we concerned about pertussis among infants? 

Infants under the age of 12 months have more serious illness from pertussis and they are more likely to have complications and be hospitalized than persons in other age groups. Infants are more likely to have pneumonia or convulsions. Infants also are at greatest risk of fatal pertussis. In recent years, 8 to 40 infant deaths from pertussis are reported annually in the United States.

What are the symptoms?

Pertussis in children and adults starts with a cough and runny nose for one-to-two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits that sometimes end with a whooping sound. Fever is rare.  (Listen to what pertussis in an infant sounds like: Sound of Pertussis)

What can I do to protect myself or my family?

Vaccination is the best defense against pertussis. The pertussis vaccination series can begin when an infant is 6 weeks of age. Infants, however, are not completely protected by vaccination until the first series of three shots is complete. Children need five doses of DTaP by kindergarten (ages 4-6) and a Tdap booster by age 11. All teens and adults are also recommended to receive Tdap boosters.

Pregnant women may be vaccinated against pertussis before pregnancy, during pregnancy or after giving birth. Fathers may be vaccinated at any time, but preferably before the birth of their baby. Others who may have contact with infants, including family members, healthcare workers, and childcare workers, should also be vaccinated.