Whooping cough warning issued

Five cases of highly contagious pertussis — whooping cough — have been confirmed statewide this month. And health officials are reminding people that the bacterial infection is easily spread and can have grave consequences, especially for children younger than age 1.

The presence of pertussis itself is no shock. There are several cases most months, especially in spring and fall. But last summer the number was unusually high and health officials hope this summer people will take precautions to prevent spreading it and getting it. That includes seeing that immunizations are up-to-date for small children and staying away from others if you have symptoms, said Susan Mottice, an epidemiologist in the state Department of Health.

Whooping cough is treatable, so it's important for anyone with symptoms to seek medical attention, said Joseph Shaffer, director of the TriCounty Health Department, where the most recent case was confirmed.

"If you have flu-like symptoms and it's not flu season, get checked out," he said. "It kind of follows influenza. Younger folks are more susceptible. . . . The most vulnerable are young babies and unimmunized children."

Pertussis is a contagious respiratory disease, with symptoms appearing in two stages. It begins like a cold, with runny nose, sneezing and sometimes a low-grade fever, according to the Utah Department of Health's fact sheet. Eventually, it includes uncontrolled coughing spells and when the affected person inhales, a whooping noise from which it gets its nickname. The second stage can last for up to 10 weeks and the cough may be so deep and distressing that it provokes vomiting and prevents sleep.

"It can seem like it lasts forever," Mottice said.

Symptoms in small children — those most at risk for complications including pneumonia and occasionally inflammation of the brain — may initially be different. They can stop breathing (much like apnea) and may not whoop. Those most severely affected end up in the hospital.

It's spread by inhaling droplets. The bacteria are in the nose, mouth and throat of an infected person. When someone who is infected coughs, sneezes, doesn't properly dispose of used tissues or has other hygiene lapses that put someone else in a position to inhale the bacteria, it spreads. And though it takes some concentration to spread, it's highly contagious, said Shaffer.

The illness can be contagious for the first three weeks, then the possibility begins to dwindle.

A preliminary Centers for Disease Control count found more than 11,000 U.S. whooping cough cases last year, up from 9,771 the year before. And though the disease is usually not fatal , it also poses greater risk for people with chronic respiratory conditions or those who are elderly. While older patients generally recover, they can easily spread the disease as well, particularly to infants.

Jana Kettering, spokeswoman for the Utah Department of Health, said that four of the five people with confirmed pertussis this month are adults.

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E-mail: lois@desnews.com