How to Know If You Need Whooping Cough Vaccine As Cases Rise
Whooping cough, also known as whooping cough, is a serious disease. It is highly contagious, can cause a boring cough for months, and is especially dangerous for infants. The CDC reports that the number of cases is rising this year. Fortunately, most of us have already had the whooping cough vaccine, but this immunity weakens over time. You may need another dose.
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough, or whooping cough, is caused by a species of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis . The bacteria attach to the inside of the lungs and release a toxin that causes tissue swelling. A characteristic symptom is a persistent, severe cough.
Whooping cough is nicknamed the “100-day cough” because its symptoms can last so long. Whooping cough is named after the sound you may make when you choke during a coughing fit. Coughing attacks may be accompanied by vomiting, fatigue and difficulty breathing; breaking a rib while coughing is not unheard of. In infants, coughing can interfere with breathing to such an extent that it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms of whooping cough may initially appear similar to those of a cold, but coughing attacks develop over time. A person who is lucky enough to have a strong immune system can also carry and transmit the bacteria without any noticeable symptoms. This is why the vaccine is so important: You can get whooping cough before you feel sick or without even realizing you are sick.
Immunity from vaccination weakens over time.
There is a vaccine for whooping cough, and it is usually given in childhood, with the big caveat that children must be 2 months old before they can receive it.
There are actually two vaccines: DTaP is given to young children and it protects against three diseases: diphtheria (the D in the acronym), tetanus (T) and pertussis (aP, acellular pertussis). There used to be a whole cell pertussis vaccine that is no longer used. Older children and adults receive a similar vaccine called Tdap, which protects against the same diseases but contains lower doses of diphtheria and whooping cough components. If you are old enough to read this article, you will receive Tdap.
Most of us received several doses of the whooping cough vaccine as children, and if so, we were protected for many years. But the CDC notes that whooping cough immunity wanes over time. There are currently no official recommendations on whether or how often to get a booster shot. But the TDAP shot, which immunizes you against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough, can be given every 10 years as protection against tetanus. Be sure to ask specifically for TDAP because sometimes the “tetanus shot” only includes protection against tetanus and diphtheria.
Who needs the whooping cough vaccine, according to the CDC
Official recommendations, according to the CDC, are that the following people should get the whooping cough vaccine:
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Young children require a series of five doses of DTaP starting at 2 months of age; the last shot in the series is usually taken between the ages of 4 and 6 years.
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Older children need one Tdap shot at age 11 or 12.
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Adults who have never had a Tdap vaccine should get a Tdap vaccine. This can happen at any time. How about now?
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Any pregnant woman should get the Tdap vaccine in the third trimester of every pregnancy . This gives the baby some antibodies against whooping cough, which can protect him in those early months of life when he is too young to get the whooping cough vaccine himself.
Adults who spend time with babies, such as grandparents and babysitters, are not recommended to get the Tdap vaccine, but many health care professionals say it is still a good idea. You can usually get the Tdap shot even if you had it years ago or are not sure if you have had it. As always, consult your healthcare provider if you have questions or want to make sure this is right for you.