Pertussis warning

Public health

Fall is in the air, you can feel the change as there is a chill to the night. The time is now to consider your health, the health of your loved ones, and the protection of the community as fall is the time of year that we start to see influenza, and this year of particular concern is an increase in pertussis (whooping cough).

Nationally, pertussis cases are on the rise. Currently, California is in the midst of a state-wide epidemic of whooping cough. Seven infants, all under two months of age, have died in California. In Montana this year there have already been 34 cases of pertussis reported. In 2005, Montana experienced its worst outbreak of pertussis in the last 50 years. The outbreak began with approximately 84 cases in 2004 and resulted in another 585 pertussis cases in 2005. In 2008, 34 cases of pertussis were identified here in Lake County.

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease that is spread through the air by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others who then breathe in the pertussis bacteria. Pertussis begins like a common cold with a mild cough. Within two weeks, the cough becomes more severe and usually includes a long series of coughs ("coughing fits") followed by a whooping noise. It is very serious for babies and can cause them to cough so much that they cannot breathe.

Hundreds of babies are hospitalized each year from whooping cough and some die from it, as we are seeing in California right now.

Pertussis can cause adults or teens to have severe coughing that leads to vomiting or broken ribs. One can be hospitalized for pneumonia and miss weeks of work.

Even worse, adults are most often the ones who spread whooping cough to babies at home.

It is estimated that 50-80 percent of infants with pertussis in the U.S. were infected by a family member or caregiver (grandparents, daycare provider, etc.).

There are steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and children in your care from getting pertussis. The most important thing to do is get immunized! First, make sure your children (and those in your care) are up to date on their immunizations.

Cases of pertussis are on the rise in part due to the fact that nationally, immunization rates are declining. Montana fares even worse as we currently rank last in the nation for children under the age of four being current with their immunizations. In the U.S., the recommended pertussis vaccine for children under the age of seven is called DTaP. This is a safe and effective combination vaccine containing diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

Infants and toddlers need a series of shots given at two, four and six months. A fourth shot is then given sometime between 12 and 18 months of age and a fifth dose is given prior to starting kindergarten.

Secondly, make sure you are fully immunized as an adult. Vaccine protection for pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria fades over time. Prior to 2005, the only booster vaccine available was Td (tetanus and diphtheria). This vaccine was recommended for teens and adults every ten years. Now there is a vaccine available for teens and adults that contains pertussis called Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine. This vaccine is available for people ages 11-64 years. Children receive a booster dose of Tdap prior to entering seventh grade.

Adults need a one-time booster dose that is given in place of a routine tetanus booster. It is very important that every teen and adult in a family is immunized against pertussis to protect themselves and children in the home. Infants and children who are not yet fully immunized are better protected when you as an adult get your Tdap shot by providing "herd immunity." Herd immunity is when most members of a community are immunized against a disease, the littlest ones among them are protected by the fact that the illness is less likely to be brought home to them. When a community is well immunized, everyone has some protection against the particular germ, so the illness doesn't get as strong or deep a hold on that community. The unprotected babies or elders are less likely to ever be exposed.

Thirdly, cover your cough, wash your hands frequently and stay home if you are sick. Remember, pertussis is spread by coughing; therefore, something as basic as covering your cough and sneeze can help to reduce the spread of disease.

Immunizations are available through your local health provider, CSKT Tribal Health and at the Lake County Health Department. The Lake County Health Department offers a walk-in immunization clinic every Tuesday afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m., or by appointment. Medicaid, Insurance billing and the Vaccine for Children (VFC) Program are available. The VFC Program is for children who are uninsured or whose insurance policy does not cover immunizations. Immunizations under this program are offered on a sliding fee scale based upon your income. No child will be denied due to inability to pay. For more information about pertussis, please visit our website at www.lakecountypublichealth.org or call us at 883-7288.

Get immunized. It's good public health.