Pertussis cases on the rise - KYTX CBS 19 Tyler Longview News Weather Sports

Pertussis cases on the rise

Brittany Strawn says her son spent a total of five days in the hospital recovering from pertussis.

According to Dr. Carol Baker, he won't be the last to do so.

"We're on track to have more cases this year in 2012 than we've had in the U.S. since there has been a vaccine available," Baker said.

The Centers for Disease Control has classified pertussis - a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes violent coughing - as an epidemic.

Dr. Baker says infants aren't immune to it until they are six months, after they've completed a series of shots. But, she says, adults need to get boosters as well to prevent passing it on.

It's what the Strawn family is doing, while they warn other families of their terrifying experience.

"Take it seriously," Strawn said. "The first cough, the sooner you get treatment the better your odds are because it can be fatal."

 

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