SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- According to the state health department website cases are up by 186 percent. The infection, also called Pertussis, can be dangerous for adults and young kids.School districts are on the lookout because cases have already been reported in Sioux Falls and Harrisburg in the last two weeks. Whooping Cough can include uncontrollable coughing fits which can lead to vomiting, difficulty breathing and in rare cases broken ribs. "We've seen a few clusters of whooping cough popping up in the Sioux Falls area," said Dr. Margo Free. Dr. Free is a Pediatric infectious disease specialist. She says Whooping Cough starts like a normal cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sometimes a dry cough, but after two to three weeks infected people can develop a persistent cough. South Dakota power linemen line up to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene "It can hit you like a ton of bricks," said Free. Whooping cough is caused by bacteria, and those infected can be highly contagious for weeks. That's why it is such a big deal in schools and daycares where it can easily spread. It can be especially dangerous for babies. Several vaccinations are recommended for infants, then at ages at 4 and 11. Randi Gruenstein of Aberdeen is a mother of two, including this handsome little guy, meets 7-week-old Weston. She says her 6-year-old daughter is vaccinated and so will Weston."It's up to us to make sure they are taken care of completely to keep them safe," said GruensteinDr. Free says they can treat an infected person with antibiotics to make them less contagious, but it probably won't help ease the severity of the cough. "They sometimes call it the machine gun cough, when you cough so many times, dozens of times in a row and then the whoop comes from that sharp inhalation between coughs. Those people often are not admitted to the hospital but you are at home with a miserable cough for weeks," said Dr. Free.Those who have been vaccinated are usually able to avoid the illness or get by with a mild version. Dr. Free says a shot is the best defense against whooping cough, for both kids and adults.