SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) - After a significant decline in cases during the pandemic, whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is making a forceful return in the Bay Area. Health officials are raising concerns about the uptick in cases, urging the public to ensure their vaccinations are up-to-date.
Pertussis is a bacterial infection that affects both the upper and lower airways and causes a variety of reactions in the lungs and upper respiratory tract, according to Dr. George Rutherford, a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at UCSF.
The most characteristic symptom of pertussis is a severe cough followed by a high-pitched "whoop" sound when the patient inhales sharply. This distinctive coughing pattern is how the disease earned the name "whooping cough."
"They cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, and then they have a big inspiration and it sounds like a 'whoop,' almost like a crane," Dr. Rutherford described to KCBS Radio's Bret Burkhart on this week's episode of "As Prescribed."
While whooping cough has always been a concern in the U.S., the introduction of the pertussis vaccine in the 1950s significantly reduced the number of cases. However, even with the vaccine, pertussis remains a persistent issue, especially during certain times of the year. Infants are the most vulnerable to pertussis, especially those under two months of age, and they may face life-threatening complications. For adults, pertussis is typically less severe but still very unpleasant.
"It's a miserable disease in adults," said Dr. Rutherford. "They have vomiting after these coughing spells, they turn blue, you know, it's just miserable. But young babies die of it, and they die because they can't get enough air in. And that's what the concern is."
One of the most effective ways to prevent whooping cough is by staying up to date with vaccinations. Dr. Rutherford stresses the importance of the DTaP vaccine, which includes protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Children should receive a series of five doses by the time they reach elementary school, typically at ages two months, four months, six months, 18 months and again before entering school.
In California, vaccination is required for children before they enter school. For adults and adolescents, it's recommended to get a booster shot every 10 years.
Part of the reason California is experiencing a sharp rise in whooping cough cases, with several Bay Area counties reporting the highest numbers in a decade, is due to waning immunity. Many people may not realize the importance of maintaining vaccination schedules.
"Vaccine protection doesn't last forever and you have to be revaccinated every once in a while to maintain immunity," said Dr. Rutherford. "If you haven't been vaccinated for pertussis before, you should get vaccinated if you're an adult and then get that revaccinated every 10 years."
While hospitals are working hard to manage the current uptick in pertussis cases, Dr. Rutherford questions whether updating the vaccine would provide better protection against the illness.
"This is older technology, and the immunity is not as lasting as we would like it to be," he said. "Be whatever we say, the vaccines aren't as good as the live virus vaccines like measles, mumps and rubella or the messenger RNA vaccines like COVID."
Still, the recent rise in cases in the Bay Area underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date vaccinations, especially as immunity wanes over time.
Listen to this week's "As Prescribed" to learn more. You can also listen to last week's episode to hear about managing post-election stress, here.
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“As Prescribed” is sponsored by UCSF.