Uncategorized
Ask Dr. Dunn: whooping cough (pertussis)
Published
11 years agoon
By Maren Dunn, D.O. ExploreBigSky.com Health Writer
Is whooping cough going around the community?
– Eric, Big Sky
Cold symptoms run rampant in the wintertime, and this year has been no exception – especially when it comes to the contagious cough running around Big Sky.
Since 2004, there has been a frightening resurgence of pertussis, or whooping cough in the U.S., and 2010 tallied the most cases in more than 50 years, with 27,550 nationwide. We’re still experiencing what the Centers for Disease Control has called “the worst whooping cough epidemic in 50 years,” though case numbers are dropping due to increased vaccination rates.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious upper respiratory illness caused by Bordetella pertussis. In the pre-vaccine era, children under 10 predominantly contracted the illness, stricken with prolonged cough and one or more of the classic symptoms: a “whoop” noise between coughs, severe coughing fits, and cough followed by vomiting.
It can be hard to know if a community is experiencing a pertussis outbreak, because affected individuals tend not to seek treatment during the first stage – confirmation of the illness, done through lab testing, is only reliable during the first 2-4 weeks. This is also the time period when medicine can actually shorten the course of the illness. Unfortunately, most cases go undetected.
If treated after two weeks, antibiotics may not shorten the illness but are likely to decrease the spread of the bacteria. Most infected individuals clear the illness within 3-4 weeks without treatment.
Since the 1990s, pertussis has affected mostly adolescents and adults, due largely to waning immunity. While their symptoms can be less severe than in children, these age groups can carry the illness to children and infants who are at higher risk of severe illness and death. Once infected, the typical incubation period is 7-10 days. This is much longer than the common cold, where incubation takes about three days.
Infections have three phases of illness. In the first stage, which lasts 1-2 weeks, runny nose, malaise and mild cough are common; high fever is atypical. Other early symptoms include excessive eye watering or redness.
The hallmark symptom occurs during the second stage, which starts around week two: severe, forceful coughs during exhalation, followed by a vigorous inhalation that sounds like a “whoop.” Often a person will have paroxysms, or fits of these distinctive coughs.
Since their airways are smaller, the whooping noise is more pronounced in young children, who may also stop breathing between coughing spells. This can be alarming, since the paroxysms can cause a person to vomit or pass out. In adolescents and adults, this period can last 2-3 months. Finally, within two more weeks, the symptoms subside.
If the illness is recognized, antibiotics are prescribed. However, neither natural infection nor vaccination offers life-long immunity, so following vaccination schedules is critical. The childhood vaccine is called DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis) and is given at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months of age, and at 4 and 11 years of age. An infant less than 2 months old is at high risk of pertussis infection and death.
To help protect this population, doctors recommend all pregnant women have a booster during their third trimester and repeat vaccination for every pregnancy. A pregnant mother passes on antibodies to the unborn child, offering protection until the child receives the first vaccine.
Since immunity wanes years after vaccination, it’s necessary for adults to get boosters, as well. The adult vaccine is called Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis). Tdap is now routinely given at least once after age 18. If you are unsure if your recent tetanus booster was a Tdap, get the Tdap vaccination immediately. This will help maintain immunity and reduce the possibility of passing the illness to a child.
See your medical provider if you suffer from a cough for longer than a week or show typical symptoms of whooping cough. If you’ll be spending time with a new baby, help protect it from pertussis by getting your vaccine.
Find Dr. Dunn’s writing regularly in the Health section of the Big Sky Weekly.
Maren Dunn, D.O., is owner of Gallatin Family Medicine, a medical clinic in the Big Sky Meadow Village. Gallatin Family Medical offers reduced cost and free mammogram screening. Have a question? Email her at inquiries@gallatinfamilymedicine.com.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm