Seven Critical Things to Know About Whooping Cough

Around the world there are typically 24 million cases of pertussis each year leading to nearly 200,000 deaths. In the United States, the number of cases generally sits between 40,000 and 50,000 each year.

Early symptoms may seem like a cold or the flu including a runny nose, low-grade fever, and a mild occasional cough, so it can be tough to diagnose.Symptoms gradually become more severe with time and may include coughing fits, a high pitched "whoop" sound, and exhaustion.

Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable, but highly contagious respiratory disease. It's important to know how not to get it, as well as how not to spread it if you have it.

Pertussis can affect people of all ages, but it is most serious and potentially fatal in babies less than a year old. About half of babies less than a year old who contract it need hospital treatment.You should keep your baby away from anyone who is coughing or has cold symptoms.

Vaccinations are available for babies, kids and adults.If you get the vaccine,  you can still contract pertussis,  but, it generally isn't as severe and doesn't last as long

Pertussis is highly contagious and is spread mostly by coughing and sneezing. It is generally treated with antibiotics, which help control symptoms as well helps prevent the spread of the illness. Anytime you are coughing and sneezing you need to cover it up.

Symptoms of pertussis generally manifest within 5-10 days of exposure, but may not develop for up to three weeks. Many babies don't cough at all. In some cases, the illness just makes them stop breathing and they turn blue.