According to a report released Friday by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), pertussis infections, more commonly known as “whooping cough,” are on the rise in Iowa. In the last 60 days, 39 cases were confirmed in 10 counties across the state, including one diagnosis in Carroll County. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pertussis is known for the violent coughing it causes and the deep “whooping” breaths that many people experience immediately after a fit. The department says patients diagnosed with pertussis should stay at home until they have completed five full days of antibiotic treatment or until their cough has lasted for 21 days. Nearly all of the confirmed cases were in individuals who did not receive a vaccination for the disease. For more information, follow the link included with this story on our website.
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