The United States is facing the worst whooping cough epidemic it
has seen in over 50 years, said Dr. Edward McCabe, senior vice
president and medical director for the March of Dimes.
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, often results in
milder cases in adults and adolescents but can be fatal for
babies. It is easily preventable by vaccines and booster shots,
according to McCabe. While pertussis can be mistaken for a
common cold or bronchitis in adults, it can easily be spread to
children, causing severe cases. Felicia Dube, near Charlotte,
lost her seven-week-old son Carter in 2011. Dube first became
concerned when Carter, then only five weeks old, had labored
breathing even though he had been fine at a wellness visit only
five days earlier. Carter’s labored breathing and oxygen level
were concerning enough that he was sent by ambulance to the
hospital even though Dube was only five minutes from the
hospital. Dube had no idea what was wrong with her son until
someone suggested pertussis and she realiz