Cases of whooping cough have increased dramatically over the past year, and experts are raising alerts to help the public stay safe.

Also known as pertussis, this highly transmissible, respiratory infection can cause severe illness and even death, especially in babies, older people, and those who are immune-compromised. The disease’s distinctive cough can last for weeks or months.

In New Jersey, pertussis cases are up 40% compared to the same period last year, as of late July. Even greater increases are reported in Pennsylvania and New York State. And nationally, cases have tripled, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Infants under age one are at greatest risk, because their immune systems are still developing,” said Dr. Martin Topiel, chief of infectious diseases at Virtua Health, South Jersey’s largest health system. “This age group has the highest reported rate of pertussis.”

Cases fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, but are now returning to 2019 rates, Dr. Topiel noted.

“The United States is starting to return to pre-pandemic levels of pertussis, which typically exceed 10,000 cases annually,” he said. “It’s likely that masking, remote learning, and other pandemic mitigation tactics reduced the transmission of pertussis in recent years.”

Moreover, Dr. Topiel and other experts believe that many cases of whooping cough go unrecognized and unreported.

At Virtua, for instance, “it appears we’re seeing more pertussis cases in our emergency rooms and urgent care centers that do not have the typical whooping sound. These patients are presenting with symptoms of routine respiratory infection,” said Dr. Topiel.

The good news: vaccines can help prevent the disease or at least make it milder.

“Pertussis shots are very effective either in preventing infection or reducing severity,” the physician explained. “When a vaccinated person gets whooping cough, their symptoms are usually less severe.”

And it’s important to remember that protection from vaccination fades over time, the CDC notes.

The pertussis vaccine is combined with diphtheria and tetanus vaccines in versions for young children (DTaP) and for children over age 7 and adults (Tdap).

Children can start receiving the pertussis vaccine at 6 weeks old, as the first in a series of several shots usually provided by their pediatrician.

Adults should receive a booster shot every 10 years, Dr. Topiel said.

Symptoms & treatment of whooping cough
Early symptoms are similar to a common cold, including a runny or stuffed-up nose, low-grade fever, and a mild, occasional cough.

However, a week or two later, people can develop coughing fits, known as paroxysms. That’s when the distinctive “whoop” sound occurs – as the person gasps for air between coughs.

Babies and young children may not cough, but may have difficulty breathing.

The coughing fits usually last one to six weeks, but can persist for up to 10 weeks. The cough generally worsens and becomes more frequent as the illness continues. Recovery can be slow, with the cough becoming milder and less frequent over time.

The coughing fits can make sleeping difficult, and people can even fracture a rib from the violent paroxysms.

Additionally, coughing fits may stop and return later, especially if the person develops other respiratory infections.

Whooping cough is usually treated with antibiotics. It’s important to seek treatment early, to prevent the illness from becoming more serious and help avoid spreading the disease to others.

Why are pertussis cases rising?
“Part of the increase is due to improved testing methodologies,” said Dr. Topiel. “Today, we frequently have PCR testing available, rather than just cultures alone.”

Other causes of the jump may include increased reporting of diseases to public health departments by medical professionals, and people getting fewer vaccines or boosters during the pandemic, he reported.

What happened before pertussis vaccines were developed?
In the 20^th century, pertussis was one of the most common childhood diseases and a major cause of U.S. childhood mortality, according to the CDC. More than 200,000 cases of pertussis were reported annually, prior to the vaccine’s launch in the 1940s, the agency said.

Virtua offers vaccines through its primary care practices. To schedule a vaccine appointment, call the practice directly. To establish care with a Virtua primary care provider, call 888-VIRTUA-3 or visit virtua.org/services/primary-care.