Not Just Measles: Another Dangerous Illness Is On The Rise In Texas

There has been much news about the rise of measles cases in Texas, particularly among children.

Unfortunately, another vaccine-preventable illness is also sickening children and adults at an increased rate over previous years. It can be fatal.

Pertussis, more commonly referred to as whooping cough, saw a three-fold increase in cases in 2024, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.

It is still the season for respiratory illness- as people congregate inside to avoid the cold weather, they also spread germs to each other.

Pertussis does have a vaccine, which is included in the DTaP for babies and young children, and in the Tdap for preteens, pregnant women, and adults who have never received the vaccine but wish to.

However, immunocompromised individuals and families who have opted out of the vaccine are at risk for this potentially fatal disease. 

According to CBS News:

The U.S. confirmed at least a dozen deaths from whooping cough last year [2024], according to preliminary figures released this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pertussis is called whooping cough because of, "the sound of severe coughing attacks, which can linger for weeks." As someone who had severe childhood asthma, I can tell you that coughing like that hurts very badly.

According to CBS News, the CDC has confirmed a 5-year-old child died during this bout of Pertussis. The child had not completed the vaccine series for whooping cough.

At the onset of infection, Pertussis looks like any other respiratory illness, however, after 1 to 2 weeks, severe coughing fits begin. The coughing fits can last up to 10 weeks or more. Recovery can be a very long process.

If you think you or your child has Pertussis, seek medical help as soon as possible.