LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Whooping Cough, or Pertussis, is a highly contagious illness that effects the respiratory system, and is spread through sneezing or coughing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Whooping Cough cases are on the rise in the U.S. and have returned to pre-pandemic patterns. Dr. Caitlynn Iddings with Pediatric Adolescent Associates agrees. “It is a vaccine preventable disease,” said Dr. Iddings. “We know after COVID that there was a major dip in the amount of people who stayed up to date on their vaccinations. Part of that was not coming in for their regular checkups, so they weren’t getting those regular shots updated. Some of that was a lot of vaccine hesitancy.” The CDC says preliminary data shows more than five times as many cases have been reported as of September 21 2024 as compared to the same time last year. So far in 2024, Kentucky has had a total of 254 cases. Earlier this week the Lexington-Fayette Health Department reported another case of Whooping Cough, bringing the number to 67 cases since April. Iddings says they’ve seen many cases in high school as the vaccine starts to wane. She cautions everyone to be on the look out for signs and symptoms. As it can be mistaken for the common cold at first. “Typically it’s going to be that cough that suddenly keeps getting worse,” said Iddings. “Most upper respiratory illnesses, 10 to 12 days later, you’re going to be feeling better. With Pertussis you’re going to have that cough, it will start out sort of mild and then it’s going to get progressively worse. We do see the cough is much more intense at nighttime.” Other early symptoms include a runny or stuffed-up nose or a low-grade fever. “The quicker that you treat it, the less likely you are to have severe sequela. Unfortunately once you get past the three week mark the antibiotic that you use to treat it isn’t going to necessarily be effective. Because of the amount of inflammation caused in the lungs is so intense it’s just going to continue to linger sometimes for three to four months.” Some ways to help stop spreading are to make sure you wash your hands, make sure to cough into your elbow or tissue and if you are feeling sick get treated. If you think you or your child might have been exposed or are showing signs, Iddings urges to go see your doctor to get diagnosed. Categories: Featured, Local News, News Tags: cases on the rise, CDC, cdc data, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contagious illness, Cough, Dr. Caitlynn Iddings, Lexington Fayette Health Department, Pediatric Adolescent Associates, pertussis, Vaccine, whooping cough, whooping cough cases