After years of a declining number of cases, pertussis is on the rise. Incidence of the disease, frequently called whooping cough, is increasing throughout the United States.
Experts say the number of cases of pertussis decreased during the pandemic when more people took actions such as masking, social distancing, and isolating when ill. Case numbers of the disease are now returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Cases Up Locally and Statewide
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported the following in its Dec. 23, 2024 update:
- As of Dec. 20, 2024, Wisconsin had 2,365 confirmed cases statewide.
- Seventy counties have had at least one case since Jan. 1, 2024.
- While cases range in age from 1 month to 90 years, half of the cases are in individuals aged 11 to 18 years.
- Ninety-four infants have been identified with pertussis, and 12 have been hospitalized.
- No deaths have been reported.
In 2023, Wisconsin saw just 51 cases of pertussis. The nearly 2,400 cases in 2024 marks a dramatic uptick. At the end of December, Wisconsin had the third-highest number of pertussis cases in the nation.
“Our pediatrics group has seen an increase in cases,” says Dr. Sharon Rink, a Pediatrician with ThedaCare Physicians Pediatrics-Darboy. “A lot of these have been in older kids whose immunity from vaccines is waning. We’ve also seen some cases in infants who aren’t fully immunized.”
Understanding Pertussis
Bacteria causes pertussis. The disease easily spreads from person to person. Pertussis is transmissible through coming into contact with an infected person’s saliva. This can happen when a person talks, coughs, or sneezes.
Babies with the disease can cough until they turn blue. In fact, infants often don’t present with a cough at all but rather just turn blue, which is disconcerting to parent, Dr. Rink says.
Affected infants sometimes need extra oxygen or even intubation. In kids who are immunocompromised or not fully vaccinated, pertussis can cause serious illness. In addition to closing airways, the disease can lead to pneumonia, seizures, or even death.
Older children and adults usually have milder symptoms. However, the coughing may become so violent that it can cause rib fractures, fainting, or loss of bladder control.
Symptoms
Older siblings, parents, or caregivers who might not know they have pertussis can spread it to babies. It usually takes five to 10 days for symptoms to appear after exposure to the bacteria that causes pertussis.
Initial symptoms to watch for may be similar to the common cold and can last for one to two weeks. They include:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Low-grade fever (between 99.5 and 100.3°F)
- Mild occasional cough
“About a week or two into the illness, the cough takes a turn for the worse and becomes very frequent and harsh,” Dr. Rink says.
Symptoms can progress to an uncontrollable, violent cough that makes it hard to breathe. After coughing, someone with pertussis may need to take deep breaths, causing a “whooping” sound.
When to Seek Care
Because pertussis can look like other illnesses, people may dismiss their symptoms as allergies or the lingering effects of a virus. For symptoms that persist, it’s best to seek medical care.
“If you’re coughing for more than two weeks, you should get evaluated for whooping cough,” Dr. Rink says. “The really important thing is that you get treated, no matter where you are in your illness. That decreases the possibility of you spreading the illness to other people.”
Getting treated also can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms. If someone tests positive, they’ll start a course of antibiotics.
People who are exposed to a verified case of pertussis — even if they don’t have symptoms — should contact their health care provider. The physician or advanced practice provider likely will recommend preventive treatment.
Vaccines
Vaccines are the best way to protect against pertussis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infants receive DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccines, while older kids and adults receive Tdap vaccines. Recommendations are as follows:
- DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine for infants starting at 2 months old
- Tdap booster for pregnant women between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy
- Loved ones who spend time with infants should ensure they’re up to date on their Tdap vaccine
Individuals wishing to check their vaccine record can visit the Wisconsin Immunization Registry or log in to MyThedaCare and select ‘Immunizations’ under the ‘Medical Record’ section.
Vaccination for pertussis works well, but protection fades over time. That’s why it’s important to remain vigilant about symptoms.
“It’s a serious disease that has a huge impact on our society,” Dr. Rink says.
