Vaccinations

Whooping cough disease (also called pertussis) causes coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. It spreads easily when someone with the disease coughs or sneezes. It can be life threatening to infants.

Call Your Doctor if You or a Family Member:

  • Are around someone who has whooping cough or a bad cough.
  • Have any symptoms of whooping cough.

If You Have Whooping Cough:

  • Stay home.
  • Avoid contact with others until you have finished treatment.
  • If you are caring for an infant, ask an adult who is not sick to feed, hold, and care for your baby.

Whooping Cough Shots Prevent the Disease

  • Everyone needs to be up-to-date on their whooping cough shot (DTaP for kids younger than 7 years; or Tdap for older ages).
  • Newborn babies are too young for the shots.
  • Immunity from the disease or the shots wears off, so people 11 years and older need a booster shot.

Additional Resources

The Health & Wellness Center recommends contacting primary care physicians as well as additional resources recommended on above links.