Pertussis Cough Lingers in Community

The story of this cough is very familiar to many parents.  Coughing that doesn’t seem to respond to over-the-counter medication. Then, a round of antibiotics plus an inhaler to calm the inflamed lungs. And eight weeks later, still coughing.

In early July, when LeeAnn Lovgren's daughter was still struggling with this cough, Lovgren took her daughter to the pulmonologist. She was very surprised when the student was diagnosed with pertussis, or whooping cough.  When Lovgren’s husband David Paulson visited his doctor, the diagnosis was the same. 

“Pertussis is a disease that is in our community, all through the year. You can get it anytime,” said Dr. Peter Troell, Fairfax County Health Depatment Medical Epidemiologist. Troell said the number of cases in Fairfax County has been fairly typical this year. Statewide, there have been 168 cases in the state this year.

Pertussis starts like a cold-like illness, then a lingering cough, with severe fits of coughing. In young children, the characteristic “whoop” happens when they try to breathe in air quickly after coughing so hard. But it is possible to have pertussis without the “whoop."

 Good hygiene practices, covering coughs and washing hands are important to reduce the spread of any disease, Troell said. However, the single most important step in preventing pertussis is the vaccination, said Troell.

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is highly contagious and very dangerous for infants and young children. Babies receive a series of vaccinations before their first birthday. 

However, the Centers for Disease Control had noticed resurgence in pertussis cases and determined that immunity from childhood immunizations had likely waned. In response to that information, the Tdap (Tetunus, diphtheria, pertussis) booster was introduced in 2005.

In 2006, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation requiring a Tdap immunization of all rising sixth graders before beginning school in September.  This booster will help keep pertussis from getting a foothold in community.  

In addition, new guidelines from the CDC recommend that adults be re-immunized every 10 years in adulthood, more frequently for health care workers and child care workers.

“We encourage everyone to get vaccinated. Pertussis may not be as dangerous for adults and older children, but it can be a very unpleasant illness and worth avoiding for that reason alone. But you are also protecting those children too young to be vaccinated,” said Troell.

The local health departments are offering extended hours for children, especially sixth graders, to update their immunizations for little or no cost.

The Herndon/Reston District Office on Cameron Glen has longer hours for appointments and walk-in patients on Aug. 10, 23, 30, 31 and Sept 3. For other low-cost health resources, visit Northern Virginia Health Services Coalition