Medical Report: Whooping cough cases are on the rise

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious infection. Cases have increased worldwide in the last year.

The infection gets its name from a persistent cough that starts about five days after exposure to the bacterium.

The coughing can last up to 10 weeks. Pertussis is treated with antibiotics, but the biggest concern is in children less than 1 year of age. There is an effective vaccine against pertussis, but children less than 12 months of age are most vulnerable before they get the whole series of shots.

One-third of children under 1 year old who get pertussis are hospitalized. Receiving a booster as an adult is very effective and reduces the chances of getting pertussis and spreading it to infants and others.

Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough .

​​KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.