Doctors, mothers give tips amid rising Whooping Cough cases

TYLER, Texas ( KETK ) – Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a contagious respiratory disease, that has nearly doubled in cases since last year in Texas and the chance of spreading heightened with back-to-school season in full swing.

No one understands the struggle of back-to-school sickness better than parents of young children who are in the classroom after summer.

“It’s sad to see your child in those conditions,” said local mother, Daisy Aparicro.”You want to do everything to help them and not to see them like that.”

Jason Terk, a pediatrician and former chair of the Texas public health coalition said anyone can get whooping cough but its dangerous for young children.

“When babies get pertussis, it can be very very serious. Babies, particularly in the first 2 months of life, who get pertussis can actually die from it,” said Terk.

According to the CDC , more than double the cases of whooping cough have been reported so far this year when compared to this time last year.

“The other thing we see with pertussis is it tends to be something that comes in waves” said Terk. “You have to keep in mind that we are now getting into back-to-school time and people will be comingling a lot more, so the risk is going to be higher as a result of that.”

He said that the Lone Star State had 166 cases by this time last year but this year a total of 376 cases of pertussis have been reported.

Given the rising numbers, doctors are recommending taking precautions to help prevent your child from getting sick. Terk recommended staying up to date on your pertussis vaccinations.

“Definitely wash your hands and use hand sanitizer,” said Aparicro. “That way you won’t catch what they have and not get sick then bring it home and everyone gets sick.”

Another mother from the area, Jessica Ebell, wants to remind parents to try not to worry.

“I’ve had friends who have gotten it, it sounds scary,” said Ebell “Try not to worry, take care of them to the best of your ability and try not to worry.”

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