LISTEN: The American Lung Association says pertussis — or whooping cough — is being reported more and more. That’s in part because only 30% of adults got their Tdap shot in the past 10 years. GPB’s Ellen Eldridge has more.

A coughing man puts his hand out to keep people away

Pertussis is a highly contagious disease spread by respiratory droplets from coughing. Adults with underlying lung issues like asthma are at highest risk of pneumonia and even death.

Credit: Towfiqu barbhuiya / pexels

Pertussis is a highly contagious disease spread by respiratory droplets from coughing. Adults with underlying lung issues like asthma are at highest risk of pneumonia and even death, according to lung experts. 

The Tdap vaccine, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says is only for children 7 years and older, also protects against diphtheria and tetanus.

The CDC also recommends pregnant people get a dose of Tdap during every pregnancy, preferably during the early part of the third trimester, to help protect the newborn from pertussis.

Infants are most at risk for severe, life-threatening complications from pertussis.

Pertussis is a disease that, prior to the vaccine developed in the mid 20th century, was killing hundreds of thousands of children, Chief Medical Officer of the American Lung Association Dr. Albert Rizzo said.

"Particularly, we know it can be a severe respiratory illness, especially for those who are at risk," he said. "That's the population we really are concerned about: individuals with asthma and COPD, which represent about 35 million Americans."

The cough from the disease can last months, and that's where the "whooping" comes from.

“Whooping cough” can cause uncontrollable, violent coughing that makes it hard to breathe, eat, or drink.

Pertussis can be extremely serious especially in babies and young children, causing pneumonia, convulsions, brain damage, or death. In teens and adults, it can cause weight loss, loss of bladder control, passing out, and rib fractures from severe coughing.

"It is not that rare," Rizzo said. "It's not often recognized. And that's why it's being underreported and causing illness in individuals, particularly those with underlying lung disease."

Rizzo said rising case incidence is correlated with lower rates of vaccination.

Pertussis hasn't recently been recognized as a regular illness because many people were vaccinated in the late 20th century, Rizzo said.

"But now that there are less people vaccinated against pertussis, we're seeing it more often," he said.

Children get a five-dose course when they're infants, and a booster between ages 12-15. After that, the shot should be given every 10 years.

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