By Rebecca Feldhaus
Murray, KY – Kentucky has more than 200 reported cases this year of Pertussis, or Whooping Cough. Of those, the Purchase Area reports only one diagnosis. Purchase District Health Department Regional Epidemiologist Brandi Earp suspects the high attention to a recent rash of cases in California may have inspired more to vaccinate. Earp says cases of Whooping Cough in children can get serious.
"Ear infections in infants, loss of appetite, dehydration, which those are bad enough. But, it can also be as serious as neurological complications like seizures or brain disease, probably due to reduction of oxygen supply to the brain."
Earp says, an afflicted adult can crack ribs from coughing, and the disease can be as serious as pneumonia. Most children are immunized during infancy. Earp suggests anyone with a serious, rattling cough that persists more than a few days should consult a physician.