Teenagers and adults who may or may not have been immunized in childhood are strongly advised to get whooping cough (pertussis) booster shots, called Tdap, for adult tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis vaccine. Public health nurses will provide the shots at the Sept. 14 clinic, as they did for H1N1 influenza.
“Call your doctor or your health care provider immediately if you suspect that you or your child has whooping cough,” said Rebecca Stauffer, M.D., director of Humboldt State Student Health and Counseling.
As of mid-August, state authorities had confirmed a seven-fold increase in reported cases of the highly contagious lung disease, which medical experts describe as “very serious.” The California outbreak is the largest in 50 years. Eight infants were reported dead of whooping cough as of Aug. 24, 2010.
The California Department of Public Health has declared the outbreak an epidemic, and medical authorities warn that the disease “is very serious for infants and young children.” The department recommends vaccination of anyone seven years old and older who is not already immunized. Adolescents are also a high risk group and along with adults should receive a Tdap dose if they have not received one previously.
Early symptoms resemble those of the common cold, including runny nose, sneezing, mild cough and, occasionally, a low fever. Severe coughing sets in about a week or so after the cold symptoms ease off. Children are more likely than adults to suffer severe coughing fits, which are strong enough at times to induce spasms and vomiting.
“A victim suffering a coughing fit may turn red or purple because it can last a minute or more,” Stauffer said. “In between fits, the patient usually feels all right, but it may take six weeks or even longer to get rid of the cough.” Severe coughing fits can persist for up to 14 weeks.
Stauffer strongly urged all family members to be adequately vaccinated. “That is the best way to protect yourself and your family, and the vaccination also protects against tetanus and diphtheria,” she said.
Stauffer also emphasized that protection from childhood inoculation fades over time. Teens and adults should have booster shots, even if they were completely vaccinated as children, who receive five shots.
Details and information about the free Humboldt State clinic are available at http://www.humboldt.edu/health/. Pertussis information is posted at Pertussis Report at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/Pertussis.aspx.