[2012/08/21] Topic-Whooping Cough Outbreak

Whooping Cough Outbreak Good evening, whooping cough sounds like a disease from an earlier age, but we learned today that we're in the midst of an epidemic that may be the worst outbreak in the United States in more than 50 years. Today the Centers for Disease Control said there have been 18,000 cases so far this year - more than double the number by this time last year. Nine children have died.   Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lungs. Where’s the outbreak the worst, and why is it happening now? Here’s John Lapook. This clinic in Everett, Washington has seen more than 250 cases of whooping cough this year, 20 percent more than usual. And it’s stepping up its immunizations.   More than 3,000 cases of the illness have been diagnosed in Washington State. That's 13 times what they saw by this time last year. Whooping cough is a respiratory infection that can close airways and be fatal. It’s especially dangerous for children. Outbreaks in the United States are not uncommon, but are usually small with fewer than 5,000 cases a year.   But Wisconsin and Washington State have already reported more than 6,000 cases combined. New York has twice as many as usual. "Kids who are unvaccinated are much more likely to get pertussis; they’re about eight times more likely to get whooping cough." It's unclear what's behind the spike. In Washington State, three quarters of kids under 10 are vaccinated. But the vaccine wears off over time and requires a booster shot.   In the current outbreak, there's a surge in cases in kids between ages 10 and 14, about the age they should be getting a booster shot. (It)Turns out less than half of 11- and 12-year-olds studied in Washington got that booster shot. Scott, the CDC is urging that all adults and especially pregnant women get vaccinated because otherwise these infants who are too young to get vaccinated, they can get infected by the adults.   But John, do adults need to be vaccinated again if they were vaccinated as children? You know, it's a big misconception. It turns out that this vaccine does wear off over time. And when the CDC looked at that, only 8 percent of all adults in the United States had been properly vaccinated, so people really need to talk to their doctors and find out do they need to get this immunization. John, thanks very much.  <QUESTION>   1.Have you ever been a bad cough with colds? 2.If anyone has a severe cough around you, whar feeling do you have? 3.Is there any way to your own to protect you from severe coughing ?