According to preliminary data from mid-December, there have been over 32,000 instances reported this year, which is around six times more than there were at this time last year and the most since 2014.

Whooping cough, often called pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection. For many people, the bacterial infection begins with symptoms comparable to the common cold — a runny nose, sneezing, a low-grade fever, and a tickly cough — but within a week or two, a terrible, full-body cough develops.

Coughing fits can be so strong that patients vomit or break ribs, and they are frequently accompanied by a whooping sound as they try to regain their breath.

Like many respiratory infections, whooping cough cases decreased during the pandemic as people reduced social interactions and took various steps to combat Covid-19. According to the CDC, whooping cough cases peak every few years, and recent patterns indicate that the US is returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Antibiotics can treat the infection, but only if it is detected in the first few weeks, before the tiresome, painful cough develops. The only therapy is comfort care, which includes plenty of rest and drinks while the infection runs its course.

As the United States enters the winter season, overall respiratory disease activity remains rather moderate. Surveillance data suggests that Covid-19 levels are beginning to climb from their low point, and flu levels are also rising.