Eastbayri.com

To the editor:

With the recent outbreak of whooping cough (pertussis is the medical term) in Barrington, it’s important to know the symptoms, how to differentiate it from the common cold, and understand when you should call your doctor.

Whooping cough is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. While most school-age children are required to receive a series of DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccines to help prevent the disease, the vaccine does not provide a lifetime of immunity. As a result, it’s possible for a vaccinated adult to contract the disease and inadvertently infect others by coughing or sneezing. In fact, many who get the condition are infected by parents, older siblings, or other caregivers who might not even know they have the disease.

Whooping cough typically begins like a common cold, with symptoms such as runny nose, low-grade fever, and coughing. But a patient with cold symptoms typically feels better in about two weeks.

Whooping cough, on the other hand, is often called the 100-day cough because it can last for up to 10 weeks, or more. The condition can cause violent and rapid coughing which leads to breathlessness, and sometimes vomiting. The patient may gasp for air with a loud “whooping” sound, although some patients with this disease will cough without producing that unusual sound. Patients with whooping cough also rarely have high fevers.

So when should you call your doctor? If you or someone in your family has been experiencing persistent and severe coughing fits for more than two weeks and does not have a fever, it could be whooping cough. Whooping cough can be serious for anyone, but is potentially life-threatening for newborns and infants, so use your best judgment.

Fortunately, those with whooping cough can typically be effectively treated with antibiotics.

The healthiest course of action, however, is to prevent yourself and your family from getting whooping cough in the first place. In addition to avoiding contact with people exhibiting symptoms, doctors typically recommend that parents protect young children by making sure that they get their vaccinations on schedule. If you’re unsure if you and your family are up-to-date on vaccinations, you should contact your primary care physician.

Dr. Gus Manocchia

Providence

Dr. Manocchia is senior vice president and chief medical officer at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.