Whooping Cough Becomes Widespread
By: Paige Preusse
Updated: July 31, 2012
A common disease once forgotten now poses a serious concern.
Doctors say the nation is on pace for the worst year for whooping cough in five decades.
Moreover, Indiana has already seen a record number of cases.
NBC 2'S Paige Preusse explains what experts are saying about the epidemic.
The CDC reported 18,000 cases of whooping cough, or pertusis, last week; killing nine babies. Local doctors say they've seen very few cases so far.
"There are an increased number of cases in the United States, as well as in the state and we are anticipating more cases,"said Dr. Harish Rathod with API Clinic.
Which could be around the corner. Experts say as the nation is poised for the worst whooping cough outbreak in 50 years.
Meanwhile doctors are paying close attention to the symptoms.
"Runny nose, cough, and fever, but a little more severe with whooping cough ad there is a very deep cough which is much more severe than normal upper respitory symptoms," said Rathod.
Doctors say it's imperitive to take preventative measure which includes five immunization shots, including two boosters. Parents should give them to their children ages of 16-18 months of age to four to six years.
"What happens is in any normal immunization there is a memory that lasts for around ten years, and if they don't get a booster dose they are prone to be infected," said Rathod.
Doctors say the only reason they can find for the surge is a lack of immunization shots. whooping cough can be deadly if it goes untreated.
"The treatment is very simple, patients have to be on antibiotics; if ignored than it could be life threatening."
the child needs," said Rathod.
For more information on how to receive immunizations locally, or treatment for whooping cough visit : www.apiclinic.com
