Whooping Cough Increases in Illinois & Lake County

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported an increase in whooping cough cases statewide by 25 percent to 813 this year, with half of those reported within the last month alone.

Closer to home, the Lake County Health Department says there have been more than 73 pertussis cases (also known as the whooping cough) in Lake County so far this year. Most of those cases have impacted children between 1 and 18 years of age.

"Pertussis is a highly contagious, serious illness that can affect anyone," said Irene Pierce, the Health Department's executive director. "As the school winter holiday approaches and people have more close contact with their friends and family, it's especially important to remember to wash your hands regularly and cover your cough.

"If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with infants, especially those who are under 12 months of age."

Dr. Jim Olson of Kids Heath Partners in Skokie said whooping cough, which can be fatal to infants, usually "starts off like a cold, and at the normal time a cold starts to get better, the cough begins to get a lot worse."

Olson stressed the disease is "very easily spreadable if you're not vaccinated," adding that there is really no treatment for the cough once it fully kicks in beyond the third week of illness.

Medical experts also want residents to watch out for coughing spasms and sweating episodes.

Because the whooping cough is a preventable disease, health officials say it's important for children to get their immunizations on time; which can be supplied by your local health care provider or a Lake County immunization clinic.