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Pick fruits and vegetables that require little peeling or chopping, like baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, grapes, apples, broccoli spears, an apple, a banana, or a box of 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice.

Know the Facts about Pertussis/Whooping Cough

With pertussis (whooping cough) cases being reported in Georgia’s communities, it is time to remind South Georgians about the symptoms of whooping cough and the importance of the vaccination.            

Whooping cough’s symptoms are often like those of a common cold. Adults or children may have whooping cough and not know it: it starts with a runny nose, sneezing, and a mild fever, but after a couple of weeks, a severe dry cough develops and lasts for a prolonged period of time.           

At-risk populations for whooping cough, include:

  • Babies less than two months old;
  • Young children who have not had their five doses of vaccine before the age of six; and
  • Adults, children and teens (ages 10-64) who have not received a Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) booster.

For older children, adolescents and adults the health impact can be limited, with symptoms clearing up without long-term effects. Unfortunately, infants who aren’t old enough to be adequately vaccinated can have serious complications.            

“Infants and children with whooping cough can experience coughing spells so violent that they make a ‘whooping’ sound when they inhale”, states Lynne Feldman, MD, District Health Director. “This is most severe for babies; more than half of infants less than one year of age, who get the disease, must be hospitalized.”            

According to Debra Adams, RN, APRN, Nursing and Clinical Director, the best way to protect yourself and your family is to be vaccinated. Vaccination recommendations are:

  • All infants and children should receive age-appropriate doses of DTaP.
  • A booster dose of Tdap is routinely recommended for adolescents at 11-12 years of age when other vaccines are given and for older adolescents and adults even if it has been less than 10 years since their last Tetanus booster.
  • It is very important for females planning pregnancy, new mothers, and family members and caregivers of infants to be vaccinated with Tdap.

Other prevention methods for whooping cough are: washing your hands frequently throughout the day using warm, soapy water or alcohol-based sanitizer; cover your mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when you sneeze or cough; and avoid contact with high-risk populations if symptoms appear.

Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), anyone ages 10-64 can receive the Tdap vaccine for free, regardless of insurance coverage at every health department in Georgia at this time. Until late July, there may be a short supply of the vaccine at health departments in the South Health District (Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift and Turner Counties).

South Georgians are encouraged to take advantage of the free vaccine; in the case of whooping cough, it is better to be safe, states Adams.

For more information on pertussis/whooping cough visit www.cdc.gov or call your local health department.