Know the symptoms of this rising and highly contagious respiratory infection.
Whooping Cough Cases on The Rise in US
Whooping cough cases have surged in the US, with the CDC tracking more than 17,000 cases so far this year. That’s over five times the number of cases in 2023.
The highly contagious respiratory infection can cause violent coughing fits and can even be deadly for some people.
Johns Hopkins Medicine says whooping cough symptoms include:
- Coughing, violently and rapidly, until all the air has left the lungs and a person is forced to inhale, causing a “whooping” sound.
- Sneezing.
- Nasal discharge.
- Fever.
- Sore, watery eyes.
- Lips, tongue, and nailbeds may turn blue during coughing spells.
Doctors recommend vaccinations against the infection, with children getting vaccinated five times between infancy and sixth grade. Adults should get an updated vaccine every ten years.