Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Pertussis in the United States Since the 80s, there's been an increase in pertussis.  Currently, several states are reporting an increase in pertussis cases, including a state-wide epidemic in California. Adults (ages 19-64) need to be revaccinated, even if they were completely vaccinated as children.	Send an e-card to a parent/caregiver to remind them to get a Tdap vaccination.
What is Pertussis? Pertussis (whooping cough):    •  is marked by a "whoop" made when gasping for breath after a severe coughing attack   •  can cause serious illness - especially in infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated    •  is one of the most commonly occurring vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States   •  starts like the common cold (with runny nose/congestion/sneezing/mild cough/fever), but after 1-2 weeks, severe coughing begins   •  is spread when a person with pertussis coughs or sneezes and another person breathes in the pertussis bacteria Is there a vaccine?  YES! Talk to your doctor about getting the adult pertussis vaccine.  All adolescents must get a Tdap (Tdap = protection against Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis) booster vaccination prior to entering 7th grade. The Okaloosa County Health Department administers the pertussis vaccine.
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  This page was updated on 25-Apr-11