Whoops, now its back

One would think with all the diseases popping up that were supposed to go out with their era, society would never hear of such deadly illness making its appearance and introducing itself to whole new generation, while terrifying new inexperienced parents.  Now, given a more current name of “pertussis” effects children and presents itself as a cold: Symptoms include, but are not limited to: a dry irrupting cough, runny nose and sneezing. Yes, these are all the symptoms of a standard cold, so what's the difference between the two? Before s vaccine was found for the disease guised simply as a cold; whopping cough claimed the life 5,000 to 10,000 lives much like Rubella and typhoid in the olden days. In recent years, the condition has spiked past 25,000 since it first became medically notable in the 1950’s where they had yet to scientifically find a cure. According to Health Watch supported by KCRA 3 they have already seen cases spread across United States particularly in West Virginia.  Approximately, 10 cases have already been reported to the attention of medical professionals. As of yet, no cases have shown in California.  Parents are making sure children are up to date as a precaution.       

 If one doesn’t seek medical attention after a week when the signs occur; the cough grows stronger. This is called a “coughing spell” These “spells can last more than a minute. During which a child’s face can grow red or purplish in color. At the end of this episode the child will make a whooping sound when breathing; such as an asthmatic would do during an attack or they may feel the need to vomit. The youngster usually feels well in between bouts. Likely found common in infants, as well as other children who become infected with B pertussis may develop characteristic episode coupled with their whoop is quite sure that they are less likely occur. Infants tend not to cough as much as older children do. Infants appear to be gasping for air; while turning red they may stop breathing for an instant. The disease mainly affects babies 6 months to a year, so immunization has to be given by a medical professional as soon as it is age appropriate to do so; as well as adolescents ages eleven to eighteen whose immune systems have been comprised in any way.  Adults and teens tend to have an easier time with the illness as their immune system can fight it off as they are fully grown. In this instance, they might experience a prolonged cough without the coughing “spells”. It is, however highly contagious.

Bacteria is spread from individuals through fluids as if a person with whopping cough can pass it to another simply by sneezing and neglecting to cover one’s mouth. One may also contract it by breathing drops from the noise of the infected parties. The disease remains in the human body for two weeks. "In 2009, in West Virginia, the state of West Virginia only saw 35 cases so a large increase in this amount with a national increase has some concern and our concern is, one, we have to monitor the disease as well as try to prevent additional exposures of the disease," Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department Administrator Howard Gamble said.  Whopping cough sounds to this author like no more than a cold, however just in case, I think I’ll keep clear of those whom don’t feel that cleanses is of the utmost importance.