Medical Experts: Whooping Cough Comeback

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now urging children and adults, 18 months and older, to get vaccinated, because of what they call the worst epidemic of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) in the last 50 years. The extremely contagious disease can spread, on average, to 80% percent of those who come in contact with an infected person. It is spread through respiratory droplets of a sick person. Medical care officials urge parents to get their children vaccinated prior to the start of the school year. Infants are also at a higher risk of being infected if adults and other caretakers are not completely immunized. Advanced Nurse Practitioner with Minute Clinic, Linda Farrell, says there are already cases in South Carolina. She says after quite some time, Whooping Cough is making a comeback and people should be aware. To prevent the disease, she recommends the TDAP vaccine. It protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). All of these are serious, potentially deadly illnesses caused by bacteria. .