Whooping Cough: A Hidden Danger for Babies

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is becoming more common in the U. S. It can be very serious, especially for babies. The disease can cause severe breathing problems and even be life-threatening for infants under two months old. Many people think of whooping cough as a bad cough with a "whoop" sound, but in babies, it can look different. They might stop breathing for short periods, or their white blood cell counts can get very high, which can be confusing for doctors. Experts say it's important for pregnant women to get vaccinated. This helps protect newborns from getting sick. The CDC recommends that babies get vaccinated at different ages, starting at 2 months old. There are also booster shots for older kids. If someone gets whooping cough, it's important to start treatment early. This can help make symptoms better and stop the disease from spreading. Whooping cough is a serious illness, but there are ways to protect against it. Vaccination is key, especially for pregnant women and young children. Everyone should be aware of the risks and take steps to stay healthy.