Whooping Cough Facts That Surprised Us (May Surprise You, Too!)

Pertusis (Whooping Cough) is a nasty disease. There is NO CURE and NO TREATMENT. It is spread by a highly contagious airborne bacteria. Some doctors believe that antibiotics that are given early in the illness may shorten the duration of the illness. Unfortunately, Whooping Cough is very seldom diagnosed early in the illness. The bacteria releases a toxin into your tissues, lungs, and larynx. That toxin takes approximately 100 days to dissipate despite treatment. Antibiotics may kill the bacteria, but you just have to wait out the toxin. The classic "whooping" occurs in 50% of cases and usually doesn't occur until the 3rd or 4th week of the illness. Immunization is only 80% effective and that protection lasts for 5-10 years. For every case that is diagnosed, there are 49 cases which go undiagnosed. Whooping Cough is also known as the 100 Day Cough because the illness lasts approximately 3 months. The worst symptoms usually occur during weeks 3-6. Complications from coughing so hard include vomiting, incontinence, broken ribs, torn rib cartilage, pleurisy, torn tongue tissue, bleeding in the eyeballs and the facial skin, and fainting. Pneumonia is also a complication which occurs in 5-10% of Pertussis victims. Immunizations are normally NOT given to people 65 years or older. Severity of the disease varies. Some people have a "regular" cough for several weeks. Others experience the whooping, painful, all-consuming cough for months. Fatalities occur most often in babies. However, fatalities can also occur in teens and adults with complications such as pneumonia. Underfunded and understaffed health departments are having a difficult time educating the public about this highly contagious disease and the importance of keeping current on their vaccinations. People with a mild case may not know they have Pertussis and unknowingly spread it to others by air. You can get Whooping Cough multiple times in your life. GET VACCINATED!