United States: Uncontrolled whooping cough rates are on the rise in communities across the United States especially in Pennsylvania.
The commonwealth has reported approximately 2008 cases of this bacterial infection, which is otherwise known as pertussis, for the year up to date — translating to 10 of the cases that were detected at a similar point in the year 2014/2015, making the commonwealth the highest affected state out of the 50 states and territories in the country according to federal stats.
As reported by why.org, the health professionals and researchers stated that increase in cases and infections are common in recurring virus diseases after pandemic years.“COVID measures helped greatly in decreasing incidence of this disease that spreads through respiratory droplets,” said Dana Perella, acute communicable disease program manager at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
“But it has gone up again and we are now having, I mean having more than we had in the pre pandemic era.”
But it remains unclear why this has not occurred earlier and why certain regions are experiencing a much higher number of cases compared to others.
BCC health officials indicated that they are actively tracking whooping cough cases in communities, particularly among schools, day cares, and hospitalizations.
Pertussis at first, may mimic other easily recognized disease of the respiratory system. They include nasal drainage, congestion, fever and mild cough. However, within a week or two, an infected person could experience shortness of breath and intense chest pain when coughing, as Dr. Perella described, “It’s kind of coup with this shrill, whoop sound when the person inhales after coughing”.
Getting pneumonia like symptoms in the form of recurrent spasmodic coughing fits, which being very violent, makes someone very tired in the aftermath of the fit. This may lead to shortness of breath at night, and also broken ribs.”
Severe cases can also lead to hospitalization and sleep apnea, pneumonia, and brain swelling. About one percent of the population, or one person out of 100, will die from complication, notes the CDC.
Whooping cough can be treated with the antibiotics and Parella said people who have been infected should seek the testing and medication as soon as possible.
Also the treatment helps with the stopping the bacteria from being contagious that’s what she said and say we have a school student who is diagnosed with pertussis we let them go back to the school after the five days of the antibiotics and whereas they’re contagious for three weeks if they’re not treated well.
A post-exposure prophylactic course of the antibiotics may also be prescribed for the other household members and close the contacts.