Iowa is seeing a significant amount of cases of whooping cough this year. In the state, there has been an 83 percent increase this year over the five-year average for pertussis.
In 2012, there have been 61 cases of the bacterial infection reported in Scott County, Iowa.
Dr. Claudia Frye says the increase may have to do with vaccinations. Few adults are getting the booster that’s included in the tetanus shot.
Whooping cough can be dangerous to children and life-threatening to babies.
The disease usually starts with cold-like symptoms and maybe a mild cough or fever. After one to two weeks, severe coughing can begin.
Unlike the common cold, pertussis can become a series of coughing fits that continues for weeks.