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Moms in First Line of Defense to Wipe Out Whooping Cough

Posted on: Wednesday, 7 June 2006, 06:00 CDT

BETHESDA, Md., June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Most moms wipe down countertops and clean the house to eliminate germs and keep the family from getting and spreading infections. But these measures won't protect against one potentially life-threatening infection that's been on the rise nationwide - whooping cough, known medically as pertussis. The only way to wipe out whooping cough is through vaccination, including new boosters for adults and adolescents.

To raise awareness about the need for the new adult and adolescent whooping cough booster vaccine, film and television actor and mother Cheryl Hines is teaming up with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) on the Wipe Out the Whoop campaign. Hines, the mother of a toddler, just got her whooping cough booster -- after calling three doctors to track down this new preventive vaccine.

"Moms are usually the family decision-maker, especially when it comes to health matters - and I hope that my involvement in this initiative will get other mothers to put the whooping cough vaccine on their priority to-do lists for themselves, their babies and their families," says Hines, star of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm and several major motion pictures, including recently released R.V. with Robin Williams.

"It isn't easy to diagnose whooping cough because early symptoms mimic those of the common cold," explains infectious disease specialist and NFID Medical Director Susan J. Rehm, MD. "It's also easily spread from an infected person to those in close contact, so the best solution to avoid getting or transmitting whooping cough is to make sure you are vaccinated."

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently issued recommendations that adults and adolescents receive a Tdap (tetanus- diphtheria-acellular pertussis) booster for protection against whooping cough, with special attention to those in contact with infants under the age of 12 months. Tdap also protects against tetanus and diphtheria - two other potentially fatal diseases. All three diseases are now known to require boosting over the years. The Tdap booster vaccine can be given if at least two years have passed since the last Td vaccine was administered.

About Whooping Cough

Referred to by the Chinese as the "cough of 100 days," whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection characterized by a prolonged, dry cough sometimes associated with a signature "whoop" sound.

Childhood immunity against whooping cough wears off, making adults and adolescents susceptible to becoming infected and spreading the disease. It can last for months, impair breathing, cause cracked ribs, lead to hospitalization, even death. While symptoms can be debilitating in adults, whooping cough is life-threatening for infants who are not fully vaccinated. Studies indicate that, when the source of a case can be traced, moms are responsible for nearly one-third of whooping cough cases in infants. In addition, 80 percent of pertussis deaths in the last decade occurred in infants under six months of age. Experts estimate that the burden of illness is close to one million cases per year.

Whooping cough is the only vaccine-preventable disease that's been on the rise in the U.S. across all age groups, and the dramatic rise in recent cases has led to concern among many in the medical and public health fields. Two Tdap vaccines were approved for use in the U.S. in 2005. One preparation can be used for both adolescents and adults, and the other has been approved only for use in adolescents.

About Tetanus

Tetanus, often described as "lockjaw" for the most common symptom of jaw stiffness, is caused by common bacteria that are widespread in the environment. Tetanus bacteria can enter the body through any type of open wound, including small cuts or scrapes. The most common form of tetanus causes paralysis and includes symptoms such as neck stiffness, difficulty swallowing, and muscle spasms. Symptoms of tetanus can appear anywhere from three days to three weeks after exposure to the bacteria, and may be accompanied by fever, sweating, elevated blood pressure, and rapid heartbeat.

About Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease that is contracted by inhaling bacteria from an infected person. The disease is still common in 87 countries, with some strains continuing to circulate in parts of the U.S. Travel destinations where diphtheria is found include certain parts of Africa, Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, the former Soviet Republics, and Asia. Symptoms begin very much like a common cold, usually two to five days after transmission, but can progress quickly. In some cases, a membrane grows and covers the throat, which can block the airway. The infection can lead to heart failure and paralysis, and, if enough toxin from the membrane is absorbed into the bloodstream, coma or even death in as little as a week.

NFID and the Wipe Out the Whoop Campaign

Founded in 1973, NFID is a non-profit organization dedicated to public and professional educational programs about infectious diseases. To raise public awareness about whooping cough risks and prevention, NFID created the Wipe Out the Whoop campaign. The campaign focuses on the importance of receiving a Tdap vaccine to protect adults and adolescents from whooping cough.

Campaign initiatives include television and radio public service announcements featuring Cheryl Hines, whooping cough information on the NFID web site, and a brochure to help the public understand the importance of adult and adolescent booster vaccines against whooping cough. For more information about the Wipe Out the Whoop campaign, whooping cough and preventive vaccination, visit the NFID web site at http://www.nfid.org/.

The Wipe Out the Whoop campaign is made possible by an unrestricted educational grant to NFID from sanofi pasteur.

Contacts: Jennifer Corrigan / (732) 382-8898 jenn.corrigan@comcast.net Sarah Smith / (212) 886-2221 ssmith@cooneywaters.com

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

CONTACT: Jennifer Corrigan, +1-732-382-8898, jenn.corrigan@comcast.net;or Sarah Smith, +1-212-886-2221, ssmith@cooneywaters.com

Web site: http://www.nfid.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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