Health Services - Pertussis - (Whooping Cough)

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is using this immunization observance month as an opportunity to bring to the forefront the increase of pertussis (whooping cough) cases in Texas.

Although pertussis is commonly known as a childhood disease; in reality it is a disease that anyone can get. It is especially dangerous in infants. In 2005 there were nine (9) deaths from pertussis; eight of those deaths were infants under three months of age. Infants often get pertussis from older children and adults. The pertussis bacteria is sprayed into the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs or talks.

Up until now the only way of preventing pertussis among older children-beyond seven years old-and adults was proper hygiene. Although that is still very important, now there is a vaccine that is licensed for older children and adults (11 to 64 years of age). It is called Tdap. 

If you have any questions or would like to have more information please contact Markel Rojas with the Texas Department of State Health Services at markel.rojas@dshs.state.tx.us or at (512) 458-7111, Extension 6451 or http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/pertussis/fact_sheet/.