“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 50,000 cases of the disease were reported in the United States in 2004 and 2005. That is the largest number since the 1950s.”

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is apparently on the rise. Pertussis is a highly contagious disease and is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. To distinguish between a regular cough and whooping cough, whooping cough is characterized by severe hacking coughs or recurrent spasmodic bouts of coughing that continues until the breath is exhausted and followed by a ‘whoop’ sound during inhalation.

Before 2005, your last booster shot for pertussis should have been between the ages of 4-6 and it wears off between 5-10 years. Luckily for you, vaccinations are now available for ages 11-64.

If you have a weak immune system or already have insurance, you may as well get the vaccination. In fact, let’s just get rid of whooping cough and no one would have to really take any more vaccinations! Vaccination party, anyone!?

Source: Houston Chronicle