A high-pitched sound that resembles a “whoop” as a youngster tries to breathe in after coughing is the telltale indication.
The DTaP vaccination, which prevents whooping cough, cannot be administered to infants until they are two months old.
According to the Mayo Clinic, this is why the vaccine is also advised for those who will have close contact with infants. Additionally, the CDC started advising pregnant women to obtain a booster vaccine in 2012.
Today, whooping cough incidences are on the rise and primarily impact children who are too young to receive the vaccine.
The number of whooping cough cases has more than doubled since this time last year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
