School age children in the United States are required to get certain vaccinations at certain ages to prevent them from getting serious illnesses. The effects of those vaccinations can wear off in the teen and adult years. It is likely that many adults don't understand the importance of finding out if they need to get another pertussis vaccination. This vaccination prevents whooping cough which is something that you don't hear off too often these days. We don't hear it often because the vaccination keeps kids from getting it.
News has it that the Whooping cough is back on the rise though. The rise is believed to be possibly linked to the fact that many adults don't know that they need to get the shot or don't bother to get it. This is likely what is causing the high rise in cases of whooping cough in the United States. When children reach the age of 11 they will need a second booster and likely need another one in adulthood. If you have not had your pertussis shot, it is important to make an appointment with your doctor, no matter what age you are to get the vaccine so that you aren't guilty of spreading the problem.
The dangers of whooping cough (pertussis) can be extremely dangerous. It was once responsible for being named one of the highest causes of death in children. We cannot take the chance of letting these outbreaks become the biggest killer of children again. Whooping Cough is very highly contagious which is why it was able to claim so many lives in the past. If you suspect that someone you know has whooping cough, it is important to keep them away from other people who aren't vaccinated including adults who haven't had their recent vaccination of the drug. The person that you believe to be infected with whooping cough should be taken immediately to the doctor to make sure of what treatment to give. The treatment could be as simple as prescribed antibiotics (in the early stages) to hospitalization.
Adults need to take this responsibility importantly. We all need to understand that it is a responsibility that can keep a possible widespread of the disease under control. No one likes to go to the doctor and no one certainly likes to get shots, but in this case, it could save your life and the lives of many other people. Take the time to find out if you need to get an immunization in adulthood to keep yourself from getting whooping cough and spreading it around.