Or is it? Believe it or not, these symptoms are also the early signs of the highly contagious pertussis, also known as whooping cough—a scary illness that’s making a startling comeback. At least nine states have reported cases, and Washington state has even declared a whooping cough epidemic, with state officials expecting 3,000 cases by the end of the year. Here’s why it’s back—and how can you protect yourself and your family. Vaccine Fears And Facts Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that is preventable—a vaccine was developed for it in the 40s—but that’s only if you get the complete series of five shots, which many people don’t. It’s this under-immunization—whether from children not getting the full series or adults neglecting to get a booster shot—that Washington state officials say is likely behind the outbreak. In fact, Washington state has the highest rate in the nation of parents voluntarily exempting their kids from vaccines for fear of side-effects, reports The New York Times. “The worst part is that it’s extremely hard to diagnose,” says infectious disease expert Aaron Milstone, MD, of Johns Hopkins. Because the symptoms are so similar to those of a coldor allergies—whooping cough starts with a runny nose, nasal congestion, watery eyes, a dry cough, or low-grade fever—it’s easy to miss. That is, until it turns into severe coughing fits that make breathing difficult, with each breath making a deep “whooping” sound. “Once you start developing that cough, it’s actually too late—treatment, like the antibiotic azithromycin, at that point won’t help you feel better; it’ll just prevent others from catching the cough from you,” says Dr. Milstone. The infection can linger for 10 weeks, and while most people recover from whooping cough, it can be deadly—particularly for babies since they can’t be vaccinated before 4 to 6 weeks of age. 5 Adult Vaccines You Need The key? Early detection, says Dr. Milstone, which means seeing your doctor right away if you develop any of the symptoms, especially if you’ve been in contact with someone who has whooping cough. To combat the spread of the illness, adults are encouraged to get a booster shot every five to 10 years, particularly if they’re living in an area where there’s an outbreak. For more information on whooping cough and current outbreaks, go to the CDC’s website. Also see: Can Vaccines Hurt Your Pet?, How Stress Messes With The Flu Vaccine, Natural Remedies For Coughing
