Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

On April 3, 2012, Washington declared a statewide epidemic of pertussis, also known as whooping cough. As of May 31, nearly 2,000 cases have been reported with teens being one of the highest effected groups. Learn more about whooping cough and how you can get a booster to protect yourself!

What is Whooping Cough? 

Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a bacterial infection that spreads easily by coughing and sneezing. It usually starts with mild cold symptoms, which can turn into severe coughing spells often followed by gagging, vomiting, or a "whoop" sound from trying to catch the breath. Pertussis can cause pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death, and is most severe in babies and young children. Babies often turn bluish and may not cough at all, because whooping cough makes it hard for them to feed and breathe. Adults may experience only a persistent cough. Learn more about whooping cough from these resources:

• Hear the characteristic "whoop" and more at Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases

• Read about Kaliah's Story, a teen mom’s baby in Washington who died from pertussis

• Learn more about the epidemic and get materials from the Washington State Department of Health

Where can I get the pertussis booster?

You can get the pertussis booster (Tdap) from your healthcare provider, a clinic, and most pharmacies. If you need help finding an immunization provider, call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 or go to www.parenthelp123.org. 

If you live in Pierce County, Snohomish County, or Yakima County you may be eligible for a FREE whooping cough vaccine (other counties, please check with your local health department)