Whooping Cough
Test your knowledge of whooping cough by deciding whether each statement is true or false.
Whooping cough can be serious in adults, causing severe coughing fits that can last up to 3 months or more.
You are correct! Whooping cough can make adults very sick. Adults with whooping cough can have coughing fits that last for months, suffer rib fractures, pneumonia, vomiting, and more. Some adults even need to go into the hospital because they are so sick from whooping cough.
Nice try, but that statement is actually true. Whooping cough can make adults very sick. Adults with whooping cough can have coughing fits that last for months, suffer rib fractures, pneumonia, vomiting, and more. Some adults even need to go into the hospital because they are so sick from whooping cough.
Adults may not be able to recognize that they have whooping cough from the disease's initial symptoms.
You are correct! The disease starts like the common cold, with runny nose or congestion, sneezing, and maybe mild cough or fever. But after 1–2 weeks, severe coughing can begin. People with whooping cough are most contagious when they are experiencing cold-like symptoms and may be unaware that they have the disease. They will generally continue to be contagious for the first 2 weeks after the coughing starts. People with whooping cough can be contagious for as long as 21 days.
Nice try, but that statement is actually true. The disease starts like the common cold, with runny nose or congestion, sneezing, and maybe mild cough or fever. But after 1–2 weeks, severe coughing can begin. People with whooping cough are most contagious when they are experiencing cold-like symptoms and may be unaware that they have the disease. They will generally continue to be contagious for the first 2 weeks after the coughing starts. People with whooping cough can be contagious for as long as 21 days.
The immunity provided by childhood DTaP vaccination fades over time.
You are correct! Children, beginning as infants and ending at age 4-6, receive a series of DTaP vaccines to help protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis). But immunity (protection) from whooping cough can start to fade 5 to 10 years after vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a single dose of Tdap vaccine for most people ages 11 and older who have not previously received Tdap. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if vaccination is right for you.
Nice try, but that statement is actually true. Children, beginning as infants and ending at age 4-6, receive a series of DTaP vaccines to help protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis). But immunity (protection) from whooping cough can start to fade 5 to 10 years after vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a single dose of Tdap vaccine for most people ages 11 and older who have not previously received Tdap. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if vaccination is right for you.
The "whoop" sound of the cough is common in children but is less common in both infants and adults.
You are correct! You don’t have to have the “whoop” to have whooping cough. The "whoop" sound of the cough is common in children but is less common in both infants and adults.
*Whooping cough audio courtesy of Dr. Doug Jenkinson.
http://www.whoopingcough.net
Nice try, but that statement is actually true. You don’t have to have the "whoop" to have whooping cough. The "whoop" sound of the cough is common in children but is less common in both infants and adults.
*Whooping cough audio courtesy of Dr. Doug Jenkinson.
http://www.whoopingcough.net
More than half of the babies under the age of 1 who have whooping cough must be put in the hospital.
You are correct! More than half of the babies under the age of 1 who have whooping cough must be put in the hospital. Infants are too young to be fully vaccinated against whooping cough. Often, infants get whooping cough when they are infected by germs spread by their parents, older siblings, or other caregivers who might not even know they have the disease.
Nice try, but that statement is actually true. More than half of the babies under the age of 1 who have whooping cough must be put in the hospital. Infants are too young to be fully vaccinated against whooping cough. Often, infants get whooping cough when they are infected by germs spread by their parents, older siblings, or other caregivers who might not even know they have the disease.