Wipe Out the Whoop

Message from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

Whooping cough is still here. It is a serious infection that affects entire families. Whooping cough causes coughing spells that can make it hard to breathe, eat or sleep. But it can be prevented.

To get the word out about whooping cough risks and prevention, NFID is pleased to team up with actor and mother Cheryl Hines on Wipe Out the Whoop. The campaign reaches out to moms to encourage them to take the lead in getting family members vaccinated.

We now know that immunity wears off by the teen years, which means adults and adolescents are now at risk for getting whooping cough. Plus, they can spread the infection to babies - who are most likely to face serious illness, hospitalization, even death.

Experts estimate that there may now be close to one million whooping cough cases each year in the United States. The problem is that the infection is often confused with the common cold. But the difference is that whooping cough can last for months.

Adults and adolescents should get the whooping cough booster vaccine. Since it is so new, call your doctor before your next appointment to make sure it is in stock. Be sure to ask for Tdap, the vaccine that protects against whooping cough and two other serious diseases: tetanus and diphtheria.