Hoersten
LIMA — A Lima family doctor is urging residents to check their pertussis vaccination status, as health officials are reporting an uptick in whooping cough cases.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a respiratory illness that causes cold-like symptoms and a cough that can linger for months.
The Ohio Department of Health reports 34 confirmed cases of pertussis in Ohio in July, though none of those cases originated in the Lima area.
“The spike in pertussis cases is a cause for concern,” primary care physician Dr. Tricia Hoersten said in a news release from Mercy Health. “Vaccination remains the most effective method of prevention against this disease.”
Hoersten recommends patients talk to their doctor if they are unsure of their vaccination status or if their vaccines are up to date, particularly pregnant women, who can pass antibodies from the vaccine to their babies.
The pertussis or DTaP vaccine is typically administered to young children and pre-teens, but the vaccine is also recommended for pregnant women and adults who have never been vaccinated for whooping cough.
“It is imperative that any person in close contact with infants or immunocompromised individuals also stay up to date with their pertussis vaccine, as these are the most vulnerable populations,” Hoersten said in the release.
Hoersten also suggested good hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with people who become ill and maintaining a balanced diet, physical activity and sleep schedule to keep the immune system healthy.
