Pertussis cases in Hamilton County• 2007 – 1• 2008 – 3• 2009 – 11• 2010 – 3• 2011 – 4• 2012 year to date – 21Source: Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health DepartmentPertussis cases in Tennessee• 2007 – 74• 2008 – 120• 2009 – 203• 2010 – 226• 2011 – 942012 year to date* – 132Through Aug. 25Source: Tennessee Department of HealthWHOOPING COUGH SYMPTOMSThe first symptoms of pertussis are similar to a cold: sneezing, runny nose, possibly a low-grade fever, and a cough. Other possible symptoms include:• A severe cough that occurs in sudden, uncontrollable bursts where one cough follows the next without a break for breath.• A high-pitched whooping sound when breathing in after a coughing episode; more common in children, less common in infants and adults.• Vomiting during or after a coughing spell.• The person’s face or lips may look blue from lack of oxygen.Source: Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department
If you have a persistent, severe cough, you may be the latest victim of a national increase in pertussis – better known as whooping cough.
Hamilton County has seen 21 cases so far this year, compared to 22 cases in the last five years combined, according to the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department.
Northwest Georgia also had more than double the number of cases so far this year compared to last year, according to health departments in those counties.
Pertussis can be especially serious for young children and infants who may not have had all their vaccinations.