Pahrump is seeing an increase in the number of whooping cough cases, according to the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.
Whooping cough, known by its proper name of pertussis, is a highly-infectious vaccine-preventable respiratory condition. It affects all ages but can be very serious or fatal for babies less than one year of age.
Common symptoms of Pertussis include:
- Uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe
- After cough fits, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breaths, which result in a “whooping” sound
Health officials are encouraging people to get vaccinated.
