What to know about positive whooping cough cases in Brown County - Green Bay Press Gazette

DE PERE - The Brown County Public Health announced Thursday there are cases of whooping cough confirmed in the county. Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a respiratory illness that can affect anyone.

Pertussis cases nationwide have nearly doubled this year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here's what to know about its spread in the Brown County area and where to get vaccinated.

What are the symptoms of whooping cough?

Whooping cough spreads easily from person to person through contact with people's saliva. It can spread by being in close contact with an infected person or when they talk, cough, or sneeze. A bacteria attaches to the lungs' linings and symptoms start in two phases: It first appears a regular cold with a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and mild cough.

Then the cough can become more violent and turn into uncontrollable coughing fits that make it difficult to breathe. Sometimes the coughing can cause vomiting. People may need to take deep breath during the coughing fits that make a whooping sound.

Who is at most risk of serious whooping cough?

It is most serious in babies because it can cause pneumonia or require hospitalization. It can even be deadly for babies under a year old.

How is it treated?

It can be treated in adults by taking antibiotics. Brown County Public Health said you should get tested at your primary care doctor's office when there is a mix of different respiratory illnesses going around.

Where is it spreading?

Brown County Public Health confirmed cases of whooping "circulating" in the community, but did not say how many cases there are. The De Pere Health Department announced on Wednesday there are both "probable" and "confirmed" cases of the disease in the De Pere area.

Is there a vaccine for it?

Yes, whooping cough can be prevented in kids younger than 7 by getting doses of the combined Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) vaccine or the Tdap vaccine for teens and adults.

• Kids get five doses of the DTaP vaccine at ages 2, 4, 6, and 15 months and a booster between 4 and 6 years.
• Teenagers can get the Tdap vaccine at age 11 or 12.
• Pregnant women should get a dose of the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy.
• Adults who never got the vaccine should get at least one Tdap vaccine.

How do I know if I got the vaccine before?

The Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) tracks all immunization history for Wisconsin residents. Look up your record with your name, date of birth, and Social Security number or Medicaid identification number. Access the registry at www.dhfswir.org.

Where can I get the vaccine in the Green Bay and De Pere areas?

• The De Pere Health Department will host a TDaP vaccination clinic May 1. The clinic will be at the health department's office at 335 S. Broadway in De Pere. The TDaP vaccine will be available for anyone older than 19 regardless of insurance, and DTaP will be administered to kids younger than 19 without insurance or Medicaid.

• Children 18 and younger with insurance should contact their primary care provider, pediatrician, or local pharmacy for vaccination.

• For covered by insurance who is 6 years and older, a list of pharmacies offer the vaccine in the area:
• Adults without insurance can also call the N.E.W. Community Clinic at 920-437-7206.

Contact Benita Mathew at bmathew@gannett.com.

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