Adults Can Contract Pertussis, Here Are Symptoms to Be Aware Of

Adults Can Contract Pertussis, Here Are Symptoms to Be Aware Of

When you're facing a stubborn cough and feeling awful, you might chalk it up to the common cold. Feeling exceptionally unwell could steer you towards the flu, COVID-19, or RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). But there's a likelihood it could be whooping cough (pertussis). This respiratory infection tends to fly under the radar among adults, particularly as young children are especially susceptible. However, researchers at the CDC have observed a significant upsurge in whooping cough cases, with six times more cases reported in the final week of 2024 than in the same period in 2023[1][4].

Dr. Mark Loafman, a family medicine physician specializing in infectious disease, explains that whooping cough is characterized by coughing fits so intense you struggle to breathe, which can cause a high-pitched whistling or hacking sound[2]. The name comes from the distinctive "whoop" sound some individuals make when gasping for air between fits[3].

The decline in whooping cough cases since the introduction of a vaccine in the 1940s seems to have reversed[4]. Even if you were vaccinated as a child, your immunity may have weakened, leaving you more susceptible during an outbreak[2].

Experts suspect the recent rise in whooping cough cases is related to a post-pandemic rebound, as seen with other contagious conditions like the flu and walking pneumonia. The reduced transmission of whooping cough during COVID-19-era precautions may have played a role[5]. Now that people are resuming their usual activities without adhering to the same safety protocols, a return to normal transmission levels is expected[5]. However, the number of cases in 2024 surpassed that of 2019, with over 35,000 reported cases compared to approximately 18,000[5]. Dr. Loafman links this increase to a recent drop in childhood vaccinations (a trend which previous research has shown can heighten risk)[1][5].

While the current number of cases remains relatively low for an infectious disease, Dr. Loafman suggests that for every reported case of whooping cough, there are many more unreported ones-particularly in individuals who do not seek medical attention or mistakenly attribute the condition to a cold[1][4].

Symptoms of whooping cough in adults

At the onset, whooping cough symptoms in adults resemble a common cold. Early signs include:

• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Low-grade fever
• Mild cough

After several days, the cough intensifies, and you should expect:- Frequent and intense coughing fits that make it difficult to breathe- Struggling to breathe or making a high-pitched whistling sound during inhalation- Bringing up a large amount of mucus- Getting dizzy or fainting- Exhaustion- Difficulty sleeping at night- Vomiting

In fully vaccinated adults, the cough may not be as severe, as their immune response to the disease will be swifter[2].

The consistent hacking is due to how whooping cough bacteria wreak havoc in the respiratory system. The bacteria latch onto cilia (tiny hairlike protrusions) on cells in the respiratory tract, releasing toxins and triggering inflammation and swelling. Your body reacts by trying to expel the problem, causing you to cough and clearing the bacteria from your system. However, the swelling can continue even after the bacteria are gone, resulting in a lingering cough for several weeks[2].

Diagnosis and treatment

Because the early signs of whooping cough in adults can resemble a cold, particularly in vaccinated individuals with milder cases, doctors may not run a pertussis test during the first few days of illness[1][4]. However, if symptoms persist for more than a week or if an intense cough develops, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional to determine the cause[1][4]. In locations experiencing a pertussis outbreak, medical providers are required to report any cases they encounter, and doctors will be more proactive in testing patients[2].

If your doctor suspects whooping cough based on the nature and severity of your symptoms, lab testing can help in the diagnosis. Samples are typically obtained from the back of the nose using a long swab or aspiration (a procedure that involves pumping saline solution into the nose and then gently withdrawing it) [1][4]. A positive culture or PCR test confirms the presence of the B. pertussis bacteria[1][4].

An antibiotic called azithromycin (or a "Z-pack") is the typical treatment for whooping cough. It helps kill the bacteria and reduce the severity of symptoms[1]. Despite the antibiotic's effectiveness, coughing fits may persist for several weeks even after treatment[2].

Prevention

It's crucial to maintain vaccination against pertussis, particularly for those who did not receive the recommended childhood series[1]. Booster shots (Tdap)are recommended, although guidelines from the CDC suggest that adults do not require additional pertussis boosters.[1][5] Pregnant women should receive the Tdap vaccination between 27 and 36 weeks, and infants can receive their first dose at two months[5]. Healthcare providers may offer Td or Tdap shots to adults[1][5].

Adults can also take steps to prevent infection if exposed to a infected individual. In close contact situations, healthcare providers may prescribe antibiotics before symptoms appear to prevent the onset of the disease[1][4].

Regular handwashing, wearing masks in crowded areas, putting space between yourself and sick individuals, and avoiding touching the face are recommended to prevent spreading respiratory illnesses[5].

Related:

• The Earliest Flu Symptoms Can Be Some of the Easiest to Miss
• CDC Data Shows Norovirus Is Surging-Here Are 5 Symptoms You Really Shouldn't Ignore
• Here's How the Flu Can Lead to Serious Heart Problems

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[1] https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/[2] https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/signs-symptoms.html[3] https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/whooping-cough.html[4] https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210214/Increase-in-Whooping-Cough-Cases---A-Disease-on-the-Rise.aspx[5] https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/whooping-cough

1. Maintaining good health is crucial, especially during respiratory-conditions outbreaks like the recent upsurge in whooping cough cases, as reported by the CDC in 2024.
2. In addition to respiratory-conditions, mental-health, fitness-and-exercise, skin-care, and nutrition are all essential components of health-and-wellness that should not be overlooked.
3. News regarding the resurgence of whooping cough ought to encourage individuals to reconsider their vaccination status, particularly those who may have forgotten if they were vaccinated as children, as their immunity may have weakened.
4. The symptoms of whooping cough in adults can resemble a common cold initially, but they soon intensify, leading to frequent and intense coughing fits, difficulty breathing, and struggling to breathe or making a high-pitched whistling sound.
5. To prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including whooping cough, it is advisable to practice good hygiene like washing hands regularly, wearing masks in crowded areas, putting space between yourself and sick individuals, and avoiding touching the face.
6. A balanced diet rich in proper nutrition plays a significant role in preserving overall health, ensuring a robust immune system and reducing the risk of various medical-conditions, including whooping cough.

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