Whooping cough affects infants, adolescents, and adults and per the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) recommend individuals at the ages of 11-64 proceed with the vaccine, Tdap that helps prevent pertussis. Families or individuals most recommended to get this are also those working in the health care field, around an infant, and parents in general if this vaccine has not yet been given yet.
Unfortunately, whooping cough can cause cold-like symptoms resulting in a cough that can take weeks or months to resolve.
It is mainly spread by those clueless they even have whooping cough. This can be spread by simply sneezing or coughing.
In infants, the pertussis vaccine (for whooping cough), called DTaP (for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), is typically given in five doses. The first four shots are given during a baby’s first year and a half of life: at 2, 4, 6, and 15 to 18 months.
Please talk to your child or infant's pediatrician about your infant or child for concerns or questions regarding their vaccination or further ways they may have to continue prevention techniques to use, such as washing hands often.
Sources:
http://children.webmd.com
http://www.helppreventwhoppingcough.com
Let's improve our health and those of our children and those we love from whooping cough by learning more about the Tdap vaccination.
Below is a great resource to check out!
