From the safety of the womb, babies enter a world inundated with all sorts of health dangers. Human babies have immune systems that have yet to be exposed to many pathogens, or disease-causing agents. Many diseases that seem rather innocuous to older children and adults can wreak havoc on a newborn’s developing immune system. Whooping cough -- or pertussis -- a respiratory infection caused by a bacterium, affects all segments of the human population, but is particularly harmful to infants. Of the 27,550 cases of pertussis reported in the U.S. in 2010, 27 people died, 25 of whom were infants under the age of 1, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because of the inherent dangers of pertussis complications to newborn infants, the medical community suggests that adults coming into contact with newborns be up-to-date on their pertussis vaccinations.
Symptoms
The beginning symptoms of the disease -- congestion, runny nose, coughing, sneezing and a low fever -- resemble those of the common cold. In newborn infants, the disease sometimes progresses beyond these symptoms. Among babies who contract pertussis, one in five develops pneumonia while one infected infant out of every 100 dies from pertussis complications, according to the CDC.
A high-pitched cough that sounds like “whooping” characterizes the disease. Coughing attempts to eject mucus that has accumulated in the airway passages leading to the lungs. The coughing can be so prevalent that breathing, especially in the very young, becomes difficult, and breathing can stop altogether. Severe coughing fits can crack ribs and compromise essential activities such as breathing, eating and sleeping.
Mode of Transmission
Pertussis is highly communicable, or contagious, and transmits from person to person via the air or infected objects. When an infected person coughs, he releases microscopic aerosol droplets into the air. These droplets contain tiny water droplets, dust particles and infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria. The droplets land on inanimate objects or become inhaled by other people. Even if the infected person covers his mouth when coughing or sneezing, he still expels a small amount of water droplets. The mere act of talking can transmit the bacteria. Babies are most vulnerable to transmission because they cannot move away from sources of bacteria, namely their parents.
Dangers of Whooping Cough
Whooping cough presents the greatest danger to the youngest segment of the population. Newborn babies possess lungs that are not as developed as adults, and their air passages are also smaller. Mucus builds up in these passageways. Infants vomit the accumulated mucus through their noses and mouths, which sometimes causes respiration to cease. In the more-extreme cases, this mucus must be removed from their air passages with a suctioning device. Life-threatening complications include brain damage and pneumonia, or fluid accumulation in the lungs.
The Cocoon Strategy
In 2008, the state of Texas launched a program that used a method called the “cocoon strategy” to keep its newborns from contracting pertussis. The strategy calls for immunization of any members of the family who come in close contact with the baby. In this way, the baby is enveloped in a protective shield of immunity that keeps the disease at bay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has supported the cocoon strategy of immunization since 2006.
Vaccines
Vaccines against pertussis prevent contraction of the disease, ensure that those who contract pertussis have milder symptoms and keep the disease from spreading. Newborn babies need three rounds of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. Another DTaP shot is given when children reach 18 months and again prior to entering school, usually between the ages of 4 and 6. Babies under the age of 6 months are especially susceptible to pertussis because they are too young to receive the first three doses of the vaccine. Children between the ages of 12 and 13 need the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis, or Tdap, booster shot. Adults should get booster shots every 10 years to maintain immunity, suggests the CDC.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Pertussis (Whooping Cough) -- What You Need to Know
- National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners: Learn About Whooping Cough
- Edith Cowan University: Pertussis or Whooping Cough
- National Vaccine Information Center: Pertussis (Whooping Cough) & Pertussis Vaccine
- Texas Children’s Hospital: Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research Is Nation’s First to Immunize Families Against Whooping Cough Using “Cocoon Strategy” Delivery Model
