As the COVID-19 vaccine rolls out, patients should also remember the importance of vaccinating for whooping cough – most importantly, the youngest patients of all.
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious, person-to-person bacterial respiratory disease. Its name comes from the gasping sound that adults and children make as they breathe deeply in between coughing fits. The uncontrollable coughing that can accompany the infection can make it difficult to breathe, as well as eat and drink.
“Anyone can contract whooping cough — adults and children alike,” said Dr. Kevin Hayes, pediatrician at ThedaCare Physicians Pediatrics-Appleton. “Vaccinations are recommended from infancy, starting with the DTaP vaccine — diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis — for babies starting at two months old.”
At highest risk for complications are infants and young children who haven’t yet received the vaccination, Hayes said. Pertussis in babies and young children can cause more serious and life-threatening problems, such as difficulty breathing, noticeable pauses or stopped breathing, seizures, pneumonia or brain damage.
While older children and adults usually have milder symptoms, occasionally the coughing becomes so violent it can cause rib fractures, fainting or loss of bladder control, Hayes said.
Everyone, including adults who have already had whooping cough or received the DTaP vaccine as a child, should talk to their provider about receiving the Tdap, which is for older children and adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy also receive the vaccine.
“Wellness checks help care teams monitor the health and development of infants and toddlers,” said Hayes. “These visits are a great opportunity to discuss any concerns parents might have about their child, such as eating/feeding issues, sleep schedules, immunizations, growth and overall development. It also gives us an opportunity to potentially identify concerns that may not have been obvious to caregivers.”
Hayes cited diseases such as whooping cough can cause serious long-term health issues and also death.
For well-child visits, ThedaCare asks that only one parent or caregiver accompany the child and not bring other siblings. Exceptions will be allowed, but parents should discuss their concerns when scheduling the appointment.
Hayes recommend patients ask their providers about the vaccination schedule for children and about getting the pertussis vaccination themselves.
“Remember, getting the vaccine not only protects you, it also helps protect those around you who may be more vulnerable to developing complications,” Hayes said. “In a year when we’re already dealing with the very serious threat of COVID-19, reducing the exposure and spread of other diseases will help protect everyone. Chat with your provider and develop a plan for preventing pertussis.”
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