Most parents are used to the routine of bundling up their children to go for vaccinations at the pediatrician’s office.
The next time they visit, however, they may be rolling up their sleeves, too.
Doctors across the area are on a strong push to make sure parents are vaccinated for pertussis – commonly known as “whooping cough.”
The Ashtabula Clinic Pediatrician Jude Cauwenbergh, DO, said it is imperative parents are vaccinated, as well, to stop the spread of pertussis.
The deadly bacterial disease can easily be spread by family members or caregivers. Since pertussis has similar symptoms to a common cold or pneumonia, it is often hard to diagnose quickly – especially in younger children.
Many people may think whooping cough is a thing of the past. Dr. Cauwenbergh said it is still a major health problem right here in Ashtabula County.
Pertussis is an upper respiratory infection that causes violent, uncontrollable coughing. In the worst cases, children have coughed so frequently and violently that they cannot catch their breath.
Pertussis is commonly called “whooping cough” because of the whooping sound that is made when a person tries to breathe.
The infection hits children the hardest, especially young children and infants.
In normal cases, pertussis last about six weeks, but the earlier it is diagnosed the easier it is to treat.
The problem is, early stages have the same symptoms as a common cold or pneumonia. About 10-12 days after the first symptoms are displayed (runny nose, slight fever, diarrhea) the coughing will begin.
As the cough worsens, there may be vomiting and even a short loss of consciousness because oxygenated blood is not getting to the brain.
In the worst cases, pertussis can lead to permanent lung damage and even death.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a hospital stay is likely, especially for younger children who are infected with pertussis.
Less than five percent of adults and teens are hospitalized due to pertussis. Antibiotics can be helpful, but in many cases they often just lessen the symptoms while the body continues to fight the infection.
Over the counter cough remedies usually have little to no effect on pertussis.
Since the bacteria are spread from person-to-person, the risk is greater for families; especially larger families who usually stay inside more during the winter months.
Dr. Cauwenbergh said it is imperative that parents and grandparents be vaccinated along with their children.
“We are encouraging family members to be vaccinated as well when they come in for their well child checks,” he said.
For children, pertussis vaccination usually takes place at ages 2, 4, 6, and 15 months of age, and between 4-6 years old. It is usually given in conjunction with diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations but can even be given now in combination with the polio and Haemophilus type b (HIB) vaccinations in infants.
Teens must be vaccinated again at ages 11-12 as part of their booster series; this is the “junior high vaccine.” Adults should get the diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis vaccine not only to protect the children but also to protect themselves from tetanus. The CDC recommends pregnant women be vaccinated after 20 weeks, or immediately before leaving the hospital.
OB/GYN Suchada Chaiwechakarn, MD, said all post-partum patients should be vaccinated if they have not had a booster shot.
ACMC offers the necessary vaccines to all moms who have given birth, but dad, other family members and anyone else who may care for the new baby should be vaccinated as well.
The vaccine should be given at least two weeks before coming into close contact with an infant.
For more information about vaccinations for pertussis, contact the pediatricians at ACMC by phoning 440-997-6980.