Pertussis Prevention

What is pertussis?

When I first heard “pertussis” in microbiology class, I did not know what it was. I shortly realized that it was more commonly known as “whooping cough,” which I was familiar with. It is known as whooping cough because a major symptom is uncontrolled coughing fits that cause one to inhale deep breaths afterwards, which make a whooping sound. This can be extremely dangerous for babies and young children, making the disease fatal at times. The disease forms when Bordetella pertussis bacteria attach to the lining of the upper respiratory system and cause swollen airways. Unfortunately, the disease is easily transmitted through large droplet nuclei, which is concerning as someone who lives in a dorm, since it is most easily transmitted in large communal living spaces.

Vaccination

Despite how easily pertussis can be transmitted, there is (thankfully) a vaccination. According to the CDC, the vaccination is not 100% effective, but it is still really effective and it will help your body be better prepared to fight off the disease. There are two vaccinations that can be given for pertussis, both of which also include vaccinations for diphtheria and tetanus. The vaccinations are DTaP (given to those under the age of 7) and Tdap (given to those over the age of 7). I remember that in order to attend middle school in my hometown, you had to show proof that you had received the Tdap vaccination. This is a requirement meant to increase herd immunity and I am thankful for it.

Since the disease can be so dangerous to young children, the US Department of Health and Human Services encourage parents to vaccinate their children as early as possible, and they recommend the first DTaP vaccine to be given at 2 months old. After the initial vaccine, it is recommended that kids receive another dose of the vaccine at 4, 6, 15 months, and 4 years old. Then at 11, it is recommended to receive the Tdap booster vaccine. In addition, the Tdap vaccine is recommended and safe for pregnant women to get a booster during each pregnancy. It is so imperative to get the pertussis vaccine since the disease can be so deadly to babies, and the symptoms initially present as cold-like so it is easy to spread the disease without realizing you are doing so. I am thankful my parents chose to vaccinate me and I will be sure my children receive their vaccinations in order to keep them healthy.