Massachusetts Holidays Could Be Grinched By Whooping Cough

Whooping cough and other respiratory illnesses are threatening to be the Grinch this holiday season. State health officials say whooping cough is reaching "pre-pandemic" levels, and it's only November.

Boston Public Broadcasting Station WGBH says, "Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly infectious respiratory illness that begins with mild symptoms and can become extremely dangerous, particularly for unvaccinated, very young or elderly patients."

The station says, "In Massachusetts, 866 cases of whooping cough have been recorded this year, compared to 11 last year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control."

The Massachusetts Department of Health & Social Services (HSS) says whooping cough is "a disease caused by bacteria (germs) that is easily spread from person to person."

HSS says, "Pertussis is usually mild in older children and adults, but it often causes serious problems in very young children."

Boston.com says whooping cough "can present like the common cold but is notorious for the 'whoop' noise a patient makes when gasping for air after a coughing fit."

The site says data from the CDC "shows that nationally, whooping cough cases are about five times higher this year this year compared to last year."

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HSS says the main treatment for whooping cough is rest, fluids, and antibiotics. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease.

NBC Boston.com reports, "The Department of Public Health is also watching the spread of bacteria that can cause walking pneumonia and trigger community outbreaks." Other respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, the flu and RSV are at low levels but the station says cases are expected to rise this winter.