The current rate of whooping cough (pertussis) infections in the U.S. is so high that the country is on track for the most cases since the vaccine was developed in 1948. There were 6,600 cases reported in the first three months of 2025, which translates to 25 times the number reported by that time in 2023. Older adults with waning immunity and unvaccinated babies are at highest risk.
Whooping cough is miserable for older people; I should know, as I had it a few years ago. At the time, I thought there must have been a mistake. Surely this antiquated disease couldn't still be active in the 21st century? But what started as a two-week respiratory illness developed into "paroxysmal" coughing fits — episodes of such intense coughing they can cause broken ribs. And I was sick for almost three months.
