Uncategorized
Ask Dr. Dunn: whooping cough (pertussis)
![Avatar photo](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/megan-paulson-46x46.jpg)
![Avatar photo](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/megan-paulson-46x46.jpg)
Published
11 years agoon
By Maren Dunn, D.O. ExploreBigSky.com Health Writer
Is whooping cough going around the community?
– Eric, Big Sky
Cold symptoms run rampant in the wintertime, and this year has been no exception – especially when it comes to the contagious cough running around Big Sky.
Since 2004, there has been a frightening resurgence of pertussis, or whooping cough in the U.S., and 2010 tallied the most cases in more than 50 years, with 27,550 nationwide. We’re still experiencing what the Centers for Disease Control has called “the worst whooping cough epidemic in 50 years,” though case numbers are dropping due to increased vaccination rates.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious upper respiratory illness caused by Bordetella pertussis. In the pre-vaccine era, children under 10 predominantly contracted the illness, stricken with prolonged cough and one or more of the classic symptoms: a “whoop” noise between coughs, severe coughing fits, and cough followed by vomiting.
It can be hard to know if a community is experiencing a pertussis outbreak, because affected individuals tend not to seek treatment during the first stage – confirmation of the illness, done through lab testing, is only reliable during the first 2-4 weeks. This is also the time period when medicine can actually shorten the course of the illness. Unfortunately, most cases go undetected.
If treated after two weeks, antibiotics may not shorten the illness but are likely to decrease the spread of the bacteria. Most infected individuals clear the illness within 3-4 weeks without treatment.
Since the 1990s, pertussis has affected mostly adolescents and adults, due largely to waning immunity. While their symptoms can be less severe than in children, these age groups can carry the illness to children and infants who are at higher risk of severe illness and death. Once infected, the typical incubation period is 7-10 days. This is much longer than the common cold, where incubation takes about three days.
Infections have three phases of illness. In the first stage, which lasts 1-2 weeks, runny nose, malaise and mild cough are common; high fever is atypical. Other early symptoms include excessive eye watering or redness.
The hallmark symptom occurs during the second stage, which starts around week two: severe, forceful coughs during exhalation, followed by a vigorous inhalation that sounds like a “whoop.” Often a person will have paroxysms, or fits of these distinctive coughs.
Since their airways are smaller, the whooping noise is more pronounced in young children, who may also stop breathing between coughing spells. This can be alarming, since the paroxysms can cause a person to vomit or pass out. In adolescents and adults, this period can last 2-3 months. Finally, within two more weeks, the symptoms subside.
If the illness is recognized, antibiotics are prescribed. However, neither natural infection nor vaccination offers life-long immunity, so following vaccination schedules is critical. The childhood vaccine is called DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis) and is given at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months of age, and at 4 and 11 years of age. An infant less than 2 months old is at high risk of pertussis infection and death.
To help protect this population, doctors recommend all pregnant women have a booster during their third trimester and repeat vaccination for every pregnancy. A pregnant mother passes on antibodies to the unborn child, offering protection until the child receives the first vaccine.
Since immunity wanes years after vaccination, it’s necessary for adults to get boosters, as well. The adult vaccine is called Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis). Tdap is now routinely given at least once after age 18. If you are unsure if your recent tetanus booster was a Tdap, get the Tdap vaccination immediately. This will help maintain immunity and reduce the possibility of passing the illness to a child.
See your medical provider if you suffer from a cough for longer than a week or show typical symptoms of whooping cough. If you’ll be spending time with a new baby, help protect it from pertussis by getting your vaccine.
Find Dr. Dunn’s writing regularly in the Health section of the Big Sky Weekly.
Maren Dunn, D.O., is owner of Gallatin Family Medicine, a medical clinic in the Big Sky Meadow Village. Gallatin Family Medical offers reduced cost and free mammogram screening. Have a question? Email her at inquiries@gallatinfamilymedicine.com.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ebs_logo_white_220px.png)
![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ebs_logo_white_220px.png)
Upcoming Events
july, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 - July 31Calling all artists and nature enthusiasts! Get
more
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28
EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 – July 31
Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get your paintbrushes ready for an unforgettable experience at
Paint Under the Big Sky, a thrilling plein air event set against the stunning
backdrop of Big Sky, MT, Chet Huntley’s “The Last Best Place”. Don’t
miss this chance to unleash your creativity and be part of a vibrant artistic community.
What is Paint Under the Big Sky? PUBS is a plein air event for all painters of any ability (over the age of 16). Sponsored by the Big Sky Artist’s Studio & Gallery and the Big Sky Artists Collective, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a strong community of artists in the Big Sky area, the paint-out hopes to introduce painters to our extraordinary landscape for an opportunity to create, meet and have fun. Plein air painters record our landscape for generations to come.
Artists are invited to travel to Big
Sky, MT to paint anytime between Jun 1 – 28, and participate in the exhibition
and sale of paintings from June 29 – July 31.
Come join us! We have a great
place to paint and are welcoming and fun!
Don’t miss out!
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 1:00 am - July 31 (Wednesday) 11:55 pm
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice to
invigorate your day of adventure ahead. Complimentary. Weather
permitting.
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 7:00 am - August 31 (Saturday) 7:00 am
Location
Montage Big Sky
995 Settlement Trail
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 10 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 17 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 26 (Monday) 6:00 pm