What is pertussis?.
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious bacterial disease that can be fatal for infants. It creates a sticky, thick mucus in the airways that makes it hard to breathe, eat, and drink. Pertussis is also known as whooping cough because people with the disease often make a loud “whoop” sound as they struggle to breathe through their narrowed airways between coughing spasms.3,4
Pertussis is still a problem.
You may have thought pertussis was a disease of the past. But this isn’t the case. In fact, pertussis is still a threat. In 2006, over 15,000 cases of pertussis were reported in the United States.5
Your baby may be vulnerable.
While most infants are given routine diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) immunizations, they do not begin the primary series until they are 2 months of age and may not be fully protected until they receive their third or fourth dose. During this time, they may be vulnerable to pertussis.6,7
You could have pertussis and not know it.
When an adult contracts pertussis, symptoms can be very mild and may resemble a common cold. As a result, many cases go undiagnosed, increasing the risk that someone—even you—could unknowingly expose your baby to pertussis.8
