Whooping Cough Kills Two Infants in Louisiana: Symptoms and Safety

Tragedy strikes in Louisiana, as two infants have died of whooping cough in the last few months as the disease continues to spread nationally. Whooping cough, a.k.a. pertussis, is a heavily contagious disease and can wreak havoc on a younger child. Here's how you can recognize the difference between whooping cough and allergies, and some tips so won't catch the cough.

How To Know It's Whooping Cough

Whooping cough can start as simple as the common cold. Symptoms like a runny nose and a light cough are common early on, although early symptoms may take anywhere from 5 days to 3 weeks after infection to take place.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, what might be simple early symptoms for adults are incredibly dangerous for infants. Infants and babies often don't cough from the disease but instead have prolonged pauses in breathing which can be life-threatening.

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The Louisiana Department of Health warns that later symptoms of the disease include the following:
- "Fits of rapid coughs followed by deep inhales and a high-pitched 'whoop' sound"
- "Vomiting during or after coughing fits"
- "Exhaustion after coughing fits"
- "Trouble breathing"

How To Stay Safe

Pertussis is an incredibly contagious disease, and can easily spread through contact. If you have contracted whooping cough, you are likely to infect anyone in close enough contact to breathe in whatever bacteria might escape your coughing fits.

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the "best way" to prevent whooping cough is vaccination.

Outside of vaccination for whooping cough, the CDC recommends three ways to prevent whooping cough. The first, and simplest way, is to practice good hygiene. Simply put washing your hands, brushing your teeth, blowing your nose in a tissue, basically the good manners your mom taught you are here to save lives.

The second way is preventative antibiotics, these are only an option to prevent sickness if you think you've been exposed. Typically your doctor gives hand over antibiotics, but if you're at risk of infection it's a good idea to talk to your doctor and see if antibiotics could be the answer for you.

The third way is the worst, but also one of the most effective ways of prevention. The third way is to have already been infected with whooping cough and have survived it, as your body is likely strong enough to fight it off if you get infected again.