Overview

• Reported incidence now exceeds pre-pandemic levels, with experts warning the illness can be life-threatening in young infants.
• Most U.S. babies under two months with pertussis require hospitalization, according to the authors.
• Clinicians are advised that infants may lack the classic whoop, with apnea common and marked leukocytosis that can be misread as noninfectious disease.
• CDC guidance calls for routine childhood doses at 2, 4, 6, 15–18 months and 4–6 years, a booster at 11–12, and catch-up at 18, plus universal pregnancy vaccination at 27–36 weeks.
• Rapid antibiotic treatment is recommended for suspected or confirmed cases; started early it may ease symptoms, and when begun later it helps curb transmission.