The Delaware Division of Public Health is looking into a rise in pertussis - commonly known as the whooping cough - in New Castle County.
Pertussis is a serious respiratory illness, and it can lead to severe health complications.
Those include pneumonia, passing out, seizures, apnea and death – particularly in very young children.
DPH says it develops from cold-like symptoms into a bad cough with coughing spells possibly being severe with an individual sometimes suffering from gagging or vomiting.
Some might have a high-pitched “whoop” after they cough hence the whooping cough name.
DPH says the best way to prevent pertussis is through vaccination. Children should receive five doses of the DTap vaccine between age 2 months to 6 years.
Adolescents and adults receive a dose of the adolescent/adult vaccine or Tdap.
You can check your vaccination status at the DelVax public portal.
DPH does warn those vaccinated can get and transmit pertussis as the protection from vaccine wanes over time. Symptoms will appear milder.
