Whooping Cough Cases on the Rise in 13 States

Although the number of whooping cough cases has drastically declined over the years, the illness is back on the rise in more than a dozen states across the nation. 

According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, around 16,000 whooping cough cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of Sept. 15, within 13 states. The number of whooping cough cases in Nevada's Clark County is the highest it's been in more than two decades. So far this year, 103 people have reported coming down with the illness also known as pertussis, however, no deaths have been reported.

Throughout the country, 19 more cases have already been reported than there were for all of 2012, reports CBS Las Vegas.

The CDC describes whooping cough as "a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. Although it initially resembles an ordinary cold, whooping cough may eventually turn more serious, particularly in infants." The illness can be easily prevented with vaccination, however the CDC also recommends that all adults have their vaccine updated, since it can wear off over time.

The CDC also recommends five doses within the first six years of life, or that all pregnant women get the vaccination between the 27th and 36th week of pregnancy.

Pertussis is caused by the spread of the Bordetella pertussis bacterium through coughing and sneezing and can resemble a bad cold.

"Pertussis is highly infectious and can cause serious complications, especially in babies, so people should take it seriously," said Dr. Lisa Cornelius, DSHS infectious diseases medical officer.

Once you become infected with whooping cough, it can take one to three weeks for signs and symptoms to appear. Symptoms are usually mild at first and include runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, red, watery eyes, fever and dry cough. After a week or two, signs and symptoms worsen as hick mucus accumulates inside your airways, causing uncontrollable coughing.

Infants who contract the cough often require hospitalization, whereas children and adults can be treated with antibiotics.

Antibiotics kill the bacteria causing whooping cough and help speed up recovery. Family members may be given preventive antibiotics. Unfortunately, not much is available to relieve the cough. Over-the-counter cough medicines, for instance, have little effect on whooping cough and are discouraged.