INDIANAPOLIS -- There have been more than double the cases of whooping cough in the first half of 2017 compared to the same timeframe in 2016, the Indiana State Department of Health said Thursday.
The health department is urging Hoosiers to take precautions against it, primarily through vaccinations. There were 66 cases of whooping cough in the first half of 2016, compared to 136 cases in 2017.
Children under 7 years old should get the DTaP vaccine. Children and adults over 10 years old should get the Tdap vaccine. Pregnant women are also urged to get one dose of Tdap during each pregnancy to protect the infants.
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Whooping cough, or pertussis, is usually transmitted by nose or throat droplets. Symptoms include a prolonged cough, bursts of coughing that cause difficulty breathing, or vomiting after coughing. Young infants are especially vulnerable to whooping cough. They can experience poor feeding, weight loss, slowed or stopped breathing, pneumonia, seizures or even death.
Anyone with a prolonged cough is encouraged to see a healthcare provider to determine whether testing or treatment for whooping cough is appropriate.
“Pertussis is very contagious and can cause serious complications, especially in young infants,” said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. “I urge Hoosiers to protect themselves and their families by getting vaccinated and following good cough etiquette and handwashing practices.”
