An increase in whooping cough cases in recent months has Lincoln County Public Health “urging the community to ensure they are taking precautions to avoid getting sick or passing it to others,” a news release states.

Whooping cough, or Pertussis, is a severe respiratory infection caused by the invasive bacterium called Bordetella Pertussis and usually spread by coughing or sneezing or spending time around people in shared spaces. Coughing can become so severe to cause pulled muscles, vomiting and broken ribs, according to the news release.

“A vaccine is available to protect children and adults from getting pertussis,” the news release states. “For adults, it is recommended that they receive a Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) vaccine every 10 years. For children, they should be getting their Tdap as recommended by the childhood vaccine schedule.”

Signs and symptoms of the infection include fever, shortness of breath, chest pain and extreme fatigue which can last for months.

Antibiotics may shorten how long someone is contagious, yet recovery can be slow, the news release states. Though the cough becomes milder and lessens, it “can return with other respiratory infections for many months after the pertussis infection started.”

Babies and children are especially susceptible. Many require hospitalization and 1 in 100 babies die from it, according to the news release.

For more information or to schedule a vaccination, call 406-283-2447.