Learn More About Whooping Cough From Dr. John Brown
Pertussis (whooping cough) has been circulating in our region over the past several months. Gritman Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Brown has a message about the disease and effective ways to stop the spread:
Dr. John Brown
Contact your provider to discuss symptoms and the best steps for you and your family.
Whooping cough is a common disease in the U.S. with frequent outbreaks, usually in schools, hospitals, and urban settings. The year 2024 has had a somewhat higher than usual number of outbreaks than last year, but the U.S. usually sees about 10,000 cases annually.
Whooping cough has similar symptoms to many other respiratory illnesses and often occurs at the same time as other viruses and bacterial illnesses are in a community, making detection somewhat difficult.
People who are at high risk from whooping cough include the immune compromised and those with moderate to severe asthma.
Whooping cough is spread easily from person to person through the air by coughing and sneezing. Infected people can spread the disease from the time they first exhibit symptoms and for at least 2 weeks after the cough begins. Whooping cough can be treated with antibiotics and this usually shortens the time a person is contagious.
There are many effective immunizations that can prevent or lessen the severity of whooping cough. These include DTaP, and Tdap. Call Idaho Public Health – North Central District for questions and vaccination times in Moscow and Lewiston. Contact your provider if you or your child are exhibiting the symptoms of whooping cough. Please call your provider ahead of time when experiencing symptoms to help limit the spread to others.
Antibiotics are very effective at treating whooping cough and for preventing illness when you are exposed (postexposure antimicrobial prophylaxis or PEP). Consult your provider or the health department for details as soon as you think you were exposed.
Both immunization and recovery from infection provide temporary immunity but neither provides lifelong immunity, so booster shots for Pertussis are important.
It is important to treat whooping cough before the cough begins to help prevent spread and shorten the course.
Public Health – Idaho North Central District: 208-799-3100
See the Announcement by Public Health – Idaho North Central District.
Reference: About Whooping Cough | Whooping Cough | CDC, About Whooping Cough Outbreaks | Whooping Cough | CDC
