Pertussis cases, which are also called “whooping cough” because of the sound they make, are going through the roof again after going down for a few years. San Francisco is one of the cities with more cases.
“We had one case last year, and so far this year we’ve heard of 97,” said Dr. Susan Philip of the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
The number of cases in the Easy Bay is also going up. Parents at one high school in Oakland were even told about a spread in their area in a letter.
Before their kids get whooping cough, here’s what parents should know about it.
Health experts say that anyone can get sick, but some groups are more likely to do so.
We worry that kids younger than one are more likely to get hurt. “And we also worry about people who already have health problems,” Dr. Philip said.
Doctors think that a number of things are likely causing the rise in cases.
One reason is that whooping cough episodes tend to rise and fall every three to five years. Another is a rise in doubts about vaccines.
“It’s likely a combination of vaccine hesitancy because parents aren’t getting the right information at the right time, some misinformation, or the fact that parents just haven’t been able to get around to getting those shots done,” Dr. Alok Patel said.
ABC7 News has been told by experts that a lot of this growing skepticism is caused by fake information going around the internet.
People often believe the false idea that vaccines can harm a child’s growth. A idea that many scientific studies have shown to be false.
Catherine Flores of the California Immunization Coalition said, “We know that vaccines are not linked to autism based on the data, research that’s been done right here in California.”
If you or someone in your family might have whooping cough, you should see your doctor right away, according to experts.
“A simple test can tell what’s wrong.” They can get medicines from the doctor, and they should feel better soon. “And it depends on how well the kids are feeling before they can go back to school or play,” Dr. Patel said.
Most people get a whooping cough shot when they are babies, but doctors say you can still get one at any age if you haven’t already.
