Stamp out whooping cough

Whooping cough is back in a big way in northern Utah, which suggests either that some parents aren't vaccinating their children against pertussis or that their children are not completing the series of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis immunizations they are to receive between birth and the time they enter kindergarten.

Whooping cough can kill infants, although a more likely scenario is that the patient endures a frustrating, long-lasting illness. It starts like a common cold. In the second stage, uncontrolled coughing fits can occur. When the patient inhales, a whooping sound may result, hence the pertussis nickname, "whooping cough."

Because the disease is extremely contagious, parents must be diligent about vaccinating their children and ensuring they receive their full course of immunizations. Young children are supposed to receive the DPT (diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus) vaccine in five doses between birth and roughly age 5.

If children do not complete the series of vaccinations, they remain vulnerable to contracting the disease. Adults and others who have not had the vaccination in more than 10 years are likewise at risk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reportedly expected to approve a pertussis booster for patients 11 to 64 years in the next six months or so.

Meanwhile, the best strategy for containing the disease is to keep children up to date on their immunizations. This helps to ensure the so-called "herd" or community immunity that is vital to public health. The child who does not get shots or does not receive the full complement of vaccinations is endangered, as are people with weakened immune systems.

If Utahns aren't moved by arguments about their societal responsibility to fully immunize their children, perhaps they would be persuaded if they fully understood that pertussis is a sickness that can last for months. It can be treated with antibiotics, which can reduce the duration of the illness, relieve symptoms and even reduce contagion. However, patients must comply with prescription instructions and take the entire course of antibiotics.

Parents need to be pro-active so that whooping cough does not become a reality in their households and so the disease does not become a major problem for public health officials. A good first step is to check your child's immunization records and, if necessary, bring them up to date.