New national data shows a 10-year record spike in cases. Here's how to protect yourself, according to an expert doctor.
Another Respiratory Virus Is Seeing a “Resurgence,” Says an Expert Doctor at Harvard
Published on Oct. 21, 2024
Whooping cough cases are on the rise, and the numbers are concerning doctors and public health officials alike.
According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 18,506 new cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, were reported during the week ending October 12. This sudden spike marks a 10-year high case count with numbers not seen since 2014. It also highlights a fivefold increase in whooping cough cases compared to reports from the same time in 2023.
Syra Madad, DHsc, MSc, MCP, a doctoral infectious disease researcher at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, and the Chief Biopreparedness Officer for the NYC public Hospital System, describes whooping cough as a “highly contagious” respiratory disease that’s having a “resurgence.” Dr. Madad explains that whooping cough occurs when the bacterium Bordetella pertussis attaches to the respiratory tract, releasing toxins that cause inflammation and swelling in the airways.
“Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for infants younger than one [year] but can affect individuals of all ages,” Dr. Madad tells The Healthy by Reader’s Digest. “Without timely treatment, the illness can last for weeks or even months, leading to significant discomfort and, in severe cases, complications like pneumonia,” she adds.
The telltale symptom of whooping cough is an uncontrollable cough that produces a “whooping” sound as the patient gasps for air. However, Dr. Madad notes that pertussis can begin with mild, cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, mild cough, and low-grade fever.
“After one to two weeks, the characteristic severe coughing fits begin. These fits can last several minutes, often causing vomiting or extreme fatigue. Between fits, individuals may appear relatively well. In infants, the disease can present differently, with pauses in breathing (apnea) rather than coughing being more prominent,” she says.
Dr. Madad explains that the steep incline in cases that we’re seeing now is the direct result of relaxed Covid mitigation measures, including masking and social distancing. “As those measures were lifted and people returned to normal activities, the conditions for pertussis transmission, especially in settings like schools, daycare centers, and healthcare facilities resurfaced,” Dr. Madad says. RSV virulence has seen similar patterns in the past couple years.
To that end, you can help prevent the spread of whooping cough and respiratory viruses by once again practicing “good respiratory hygiene.” This includes covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when you’re feeling slightly sick, seeking medical care early after noticing symptoms, and taking the medications which have been prescribed to you by a doctor.
However, Madad emphasizes that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent whooping cough. “The CDC recommends the DTaP vaccine for children under seven and the Tdap vaccine for older children, adolescents, and adults,” Dr. Madad advises. “Pregnant women should receive the Tdap vaccine during the third trimester of every pregnancy to protect their newborns,” she adds. “The rise in cases underscores the importance of continued vigilance, especially around vaccination, to prevent large-scale outbreaks.”
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