"It's highly infectious and definitely not a welcome holiday guest. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is on the rise with outbreaks across the country, leaving some parents of infants wondering whether they should travel or visit family at all. Pertussis is a bacterial respiratory infection characterized by the "whoop" sound made by sharp intakes of breath between coughing fits. Infected adults and kids can develop a brutal, weekslong cough. Sick infants are at risk of dying."
"Vaccination offers strong protection against disease, but immunity wanes over time and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show fewer children are getting the vaccine. The CDC recommends adults get a Tdap booster shot every 10 years. Infections dropped nationally during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, cases surged. This year, infections are similarly high. As of Nov. 19, preliminary data showed more than 25,000 cases nationwide in 2025. The states of Washington, California, Florida and Oregon have been hardest hit."
Pertussis is a highly infectious bacterial respiratory infection marked by a characteristic "whoop" during breaths after severe coughing fits. Symptoms usually appear five to ten days after exposure but can take up to 20 days. Early symptoms resemble a mild cold and patients are contagious during that stage. A later stage can produce intense coughing paroxysms lasting up to ten weeks and can cause vomiting or fractured ribs. Vaccination provides strong protection but immunity wanes and fewer children are receiving vaccines. The CDC recommends adult Tdap boosters every 10 years. Case counts surged after pandemic declines, with over 25,000 preliminary cases in 2025 and major outbreaks in Washington, California, Florida, and Oregon. Infants face the highest risk of severe illness and death.
Read at Poynter
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