Whooping Cough Cases on the Rise in Buncombe County

Buncombe County currently has an outbreak of pertussis with 19 cases. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease.

Pertussis is spread from person to person usually by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others, who then breathe in the pertussis bacteria.

Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After fits of many coughs, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breaths which result in a “whooping” sound. About 50% of all infants younger than one year of age who get pertussis are hospitalized. Most people who die from whooping cough are infants that are too young to be fully immunized.

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At first, symptoms are typically like those of the common cold, including:

  • Runny nose;
  • Low-grade fever; and
  • Mild, occasional cough.
  • Infants may have a pause in their breathing, known as apnea.

After one to two weeks, symptoms can worsen to include:

  • Severe coughing fits or spells, followed by a high-pitched “whoop” sound when a breath is taken;
  • Vomiting (throwing-up) after coughing fits, especially in young children; and
  • Exhaustion (feeling very tired) after coughing fits.
  • The illness can be less severe and the typical “whoop” can be absent in teens and adults, especially those who have been immunized against pertussis.

Three simple steps can provide a shield of protection for individuals and their loved ones against pertussis and other deadly preventable diseases.

Step 1: Get Immunized

The best way to prevent pertussis is to get immunized. DTaP is the immunization given to infants and children starting at 2 months of age. Because young children are not adequately protected against pertussis until they have received at least three doses of DTaP, it is also especially important that family members, caregivers of infants, and members in our community are immunized against pertussis.

Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations, Buncombe County Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore strongly recommends a one-time Tdap booster for preteens, teens and adults. It is also recommended that all women receive a Tdap booster in the third trimester of each pregnancy, regardless of whether they were already immunized.

By staying up-to-date on immunizations, individuals provide a shield of protection not only for themselves and their loved ones but also to vulnerable populations like infants and small children, those with pre-existing health conditions, and the elderly by reducing the likelihood of spreading preventable communicable diseases like pertussis.

Step 2: Practice Good Health Habits

Practicing good health habits, like frequent handwashing or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers and covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, can help prevent the spread of pertussis and other illnesses.

Step 3: Sick? See your Health Care Provider

Early diagnosis and treatment of pertussis is very important to prevent spread of the infection. Anyone with symptoms of pertussis should stay home from school, work or other group activities and make an appointment with their doctor. Contact your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms of pertussis. Sometimes antibiotics are given to people who have been exposed to pertussis even if they don’t have symptoms. This is done to protect babies and other vulnerable people from pertussis.

North Carolina Requirements

Children in North Carolina are required to receive five doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine. The first three doses should be received by 7 months of age. A booster should be given at 15 to 18 months of age and a second booster should be given at 4 to 6 years of age and before enrolling in school for the first time. Children who receive the first booster dose on or after their fourth birthday are not required to have a second booster dose.

Adolescents are required to receive one dose of Tdap vaccine before entering the 6th grade if five or more years have passed since their last dose of tetanus-containing vaccine.

Students enrolling in college or university for the first time on or after July 1, 2008 are required to have three doses of tetanus and diphtheria-containing vaccine and a booster dose of Tdap vaccine if 10 or more years has passed since their last dose of tetanus-containing vaccine. A dose of Tdap vaccine is not required for any student over 64 years of age.

It is not required, but it is recommended that everyone 19 years of age or older receive one dose of Tdap. Learn more about immunizations at buncombecounty.org/vaccine.