War in the USA in the US: There are six babies among the ten fatalities

The cases of whooping cough They have experienced a significant increase so far this year, with approximately 6,600 documented cases in States Joinedalmost four times more than in the same period of the previous year.

Infobae

As reported CNNin 2024 more than 35,000 cases were registered in the country, the highest figure in more than a decade. This increase resulted in the death of ten people, including Six babies under one year old.

The whooping coughalso known as Pertussisit is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by bacteria Bordetella pertussis. According to the doctor LEANA WENExpert in Welfare of CNN And associated professor at the George Washington University, this bacterium is transmitted through small drops that are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Nearby people can inhale these drops and spread. In addition, close and prolonged contact, like when someone infected holds a baby, can also spread the disease.

The initial symptoms of theraine cough usually appear between seven and ten days after infection and resemble those of a common cold, including mild fever, nasal secretion and cough.

However, the disease progresses towards episodes of severe cough that can include violent attacks and a characteristic acute sound when trying to breathe, known as “WHOOP”. These episodes can be so intense that they cause vomiting, difficulty sleeping and even rib fractures due to cough strength.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO)the Raine cough represents a significant risk for babies, being an important cause of disease and death in this population.

In the United States, statistics from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) They indicate that one in three babies under one year infected requires hospitalization, and of these, one in five develops pneumonia, while one in 100 dies due to complications.

The diagnosis of whooping cough It can be done by identifying the characteristic sound of cough, although in less obvious cases, laboratory tests are used with samples of the nose and throat. Infected people are contagious from the beginning of the symptoms to at least two weeks after cough episodes begin.

The initial symptoms of the Railway cough resemble those of a common cold. (Infobae Illustrative Image)

As explained by the doctor Wenearly use of antibiotics, such as azithromycin, clarithromycin or erythromycin, can not only shorten the infection time, but also reduce the severity of symptoms and accelerate recovery, which can be extended from one to ten weeks.

To prevent disease, CDC They recommend two types of combined vaccines that include protection against people’s cough: DTAP and TDAP. The series of DTAP vaccines It consists of five doses administered at 2, 4 and 6 months, followed by reinforcements between 15 and 18 months and between 4 and 6 years.

Subsequently, vaccine is recommended TDAP For teenagers, preferably between 11 and 12 years, and a single dose for adults who have not previously received it.

In addition, pregnant women should receive a dose of TDAP Between weeks 27 and 36 of gestation to transfer baby protective antibodies. Adult reinforcements must be applied every ten years.

The increase in cases of whooping cough It could be related to several factors. According to the doctor Wenthe prevention measures implemented during the pandemic of COVID-19such as the use of masks and social distancing, they reduced the transmission of respiratory diseases, including whore cough.

The DTAP vaccine is crucial to prevent hospitalizations in infants and young children. (Infobae Illustrative Image)

However, the relaxation of these measures has led to a rebound in cases. In addition, child vaccination rates, including those of DTAPhave decreased, which represents a significant challenge for public health.

Wen He recalled that, before the widespread availability of the Vaccine against the Raras cough in the twentieth century, this disease was one of the main causes of infant mortality in the United States.

To protect themselves, experts recommend completing vaccination series and receiving the corresponding reinforcements. People with symptoms should seek diagnosis and treatment to avoid spreading.

According to the CDCthe risk of transmission within a home is high, so it is advised that all the coexists of an infected person receive antibiotics within 21 days after the start of the symptoms, even if they do not have signs of the disease.

This approach, known as Prophylaxis after exposureIt is also recommended for people with high risk of serious complications after having been exposed to someone with a porting cough.

The doctor Wen He emphasized the importance of vaccination as the most effective tool to reduce both the probability of contracting the disease and the severity of symptoms in case of infection.