**Surge in Whooping Cough Cases Reaches Pre-Pandemic Levels, CDC Reports**

The United States is experiencing a significant rise in whooping cough cases this year, bringing numbers back to levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been more than 17,500 pertussis cases reported as of October 5, 2024. This figure represents a more than fivefold increase compared to the same period in 2023 and exceeds the 10,879 cases reported in 2019. The current surge is the highest recorded since 2014.

Whooping cough, scientifically known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. The bacteria attach to cilia in the upper respiratory system, releasing toxins that damage these hair-like extensions and cause swelling in the airways. The disease spreads easily through droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Infected individuals can transmit the illness from the onset of symptoms up to at least two weeks after coughing begins.

According to CDC experts, the reduced transmission of whooping cough during the pandemic years can be attributed to widespread mitigation measures such as mask-wearing and remote learning. These protective practices inadvertently curbed the spread of various respiratory illnesses, including pertussis.

Symptoms of whooping cough typically appear five to ten days after exposure but can take up to three weeks to develop. Early signs often resemble those of a common cold and last about one to two weeks before severe coughing fits begin. These coughing episodes can persist for one to six weeks or even longer and tend to intensify over time. Some of the most characteristic symptoms include the distinctive "whoop" sound made when gasping for air after a coughing fit. In babies, whooping cough can cause life-threatening pauses in breathing, known as apnea, or lead to pneumonia.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to managing whooping cough and preventing its spread. Most cases can be treated at home with rest, fluids, and prescribed antibiotics. However, those with severe symptoms or underlying health conditions may require hospitalization. Babies under one year old are at the highest risk of severe complications, with about one-third of infected infants needing hospital care.

Vaccination remains the most effective method to prevent whooping cough. The CDC advises vaccination for individuals of all ages, noting that although the protection from vaccines diminishes over time, vaccinated individuals who contract whooping cough generally experience milder symptoms. The DTaP vaccine is recommended for children under seven, while the Tdap vaccine is advised for those aged seven and older. Pregnant women are encouraged to receive the Tdap vaccine during the early third trimester to protect their newborns in the first few months of life. Immunization of mothers prevents nine out of ten hospitalizations in infants due to whooping cough.

First-time adult recipients of the Tdap vaccine should receive a booster at least once every ten years. The CDC notes that the side effects of whooping cough vaccines are typically mild and transient, including soreness at the injection site, mild fever, and tiredness.

As whooping cough cases continue to rise, public health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination and early medical intervention to control the resurgence of this preventable respiratory illness.