Whooping cough cases have risen in Wisconsin, here's what to know

If you've been experiencing long coughing fits that leave you gasping for air recently, you might want to get tested for pertussis, better known as "whooping cough."

The respiratory infection is on the rise across the country: as of June 24, the U.S. reported three times as many cases as it had reported the same time last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

In Wisconsin, the state's Department of Health Services has logged 226 cases this year, a significant uptick from previous years, according to Dr. Stephanie Schauer, the DHS immunization program director.

Here's why whooping cough is spreading right now and how you can best protect yourself.

Madison and Dane County sees whooping cough outbreak

Schauer said the cases seemed to be spread across the state, though Madison and Dane County are seeing an especially notable rise in cases. The area has logged 43 cases in the last two months, primarily among teenagers, Public Health Madison & Dane County announced last week .

The outbreak is significant because the area often goes "many months" without any cases, Public Health epidemiologist Amanda Kita-Yarbro said in a news release.

“To see these kinds of numbers is significant, and we are urging the community to take this increase seriously,” Kita-Yarbro said.

Why are whooping cough cases rising in Wisconsin? Infants, teenagers most at risk

The rise in whooping cough cases signals a return to pre-pandemic levels of the infection, according to the CDC. Schauer said people's isolation during the pandemic, along with mitigating measures like masks, contributed to low levels of whooping cough for several years.

"What we are experiencing in Wisconsin overall is on par with what many of the other states and nationally," Schauer said of the rising cases.

The ages of people with confirmed cases have ranged from 0 to 79 years old, she added. But the median age of patients has been 16 years old, which she attributed to the fact teenagers are more likely to be interacting with each other at summer camps and programs in recent months.

Nine cases in the state have been from infants under one years old. These are the cases DHS is most concerned about, Schauer said, since infants are most at risk of coming down with severe symptoms and needing hospitalization. Older people and immunocompromised people may also be at increased risk, she said.

What is whooping cough? Symptoms, treatment, prevention

Early symptoms of whooping cough can look like a common cold, but the infection can intensify into long coughing fits that leave you breathless and making a "whoop" noise, according to the CDC . Severe cases in teens and adults can cause weight loss, loss of bladder control, passing out and rib fractures from severe coughing.

In infants and newborns, symptoms can show up as difficulty breathing, instead of coughing. Severe cases can cause pneumonia, convulsions, brain damage or even death, according to the CDC. In some cases, infants will turn blue from the infection, Schauer said.

Whooping cough is also sometimes called the "100-day cough" because symptoms can persist for weeks, she added.

"Once people start coughing, they can't stop, [and it's] often accompanied by vomiting at the end," Schauer said. "These can happen for up to 15 times in a day."

If you start feeling symptoms of whooping cough, Schauer recommended isolating at home and seeing a healthcare provider to get tested for the infection. A doctor will likely prescribe a five-day cycle of antibiotics that will stop you from being contagious.

In terms of prevention, the best way to avoid contracting whooping cough, or pertussis, is to get vaccinated for it. To keep newborns and infants safe, Schauer said pregnant individuals should get the Tdap vaccine , which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. New parents should also make sure people interacting with their babies are up-to-date on vaccines.

Where can you get a whooping cough vaccine in Wisconsin?

You can see your healthcare provider for a whooping cough vaccine.

DHS also provides vaccines free-of-cost and regardless of insurance status through its Vaccines for Children and Adults programs. You can find a list of adult vaccination locations here , and a list of vaccination locations for children and teenagers under 19 here . Clinics are located throughout the state.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Whooping cough cases have risen in Wisconsin, here's what to know