Just another day feeling 'fine' (Credit: New Africa/Shutterstock)
PHILADELPHIA — A not-so-silent threat is spreading across the United States. Whooping cough cases have exploded, jumping to over 28,000 this year — a staggering six-fold increase from the same period in 2023. Perhaps even more concerning, however, are the results of a recent survey that reveals most Americans know surprisingly little about this potentially dangerous respiratory illness.
The Annenberg Public Policy Center’s study uncovered a troubling landscape of public misunderstanding. Nearly a third of respondents were unsure whether whooping cough and pertussis are the same condition (they absolutely are), and an equal percentage doubted the existence of a vaccine to prevent the disease.
Whooping cough is no stranger to the medical community. In the early 20th century, it was a childhood nightmare, claiming countless young lives before a vaccine for the condition was created in the 1940s. Today, while medical advances have transformed its impact, the disease remains a serious health concern.
What is whooping cough?
The illness typically begins innocuously, mimicking a common cold. Within a week or two, however, it can transform into something far more serious — rapid, violent coughing fits that can leave patients gasping for air, often accompanied by a distinctive “whooping” sound when breathing.
The survey revealed that 83% of respondents recognized coughing fits as a symptom, but far fewer understood the nuanced warning signs. Only 44% identified low-grade fever as a potential warning sign, and just 33% knew that post-coughing vomiting could be a characteristic sign.
“Instead of speaking about the DTaP and Tdap vaccines and using the unfamiliar term ‘pertussis,’ public health communicators should reiterate that our best defense against whooping cough is the whooping cough vaccine,” says Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, in a media release.
There is a vaccine for whooping cough
The research also exposed significant gaps in vaccination knowledge. When participants were asked about the Tdap vaccine — which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis — less than half the poll could correctly identify all three diseases it prevents. A mere 29% of respondents accurately named all three protected conditions, despite most vaccines being readily available.
Interestingly, the survey revealed a disconnect between knowledge and intention. About 85% of respondents said they would recommend the vaccine for children or family members due for a booster, and 80% believe the vaccine is effective. This suggests that while information might be lacking, the public maintains a fundamental trust in vaccinations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommends everyone vaccinate against whooping cough. It’s important to note that vaccinated individuals can still contract whooping cough, but their typical experience is significantly milder than other patients.
The survey included 1,771 U.S. adults and had a margin of error of just 3.3%, offering a reliable glimpse into Americans’ understanding of this respiratory threat.
About half of those surveyed understood the potential severity of whooping cough in healthy adults, with 34% believing an infected individual would experience moderate symptoms and 15% anticipating severe effects. The remaining respondents were split between expectations of mild symptoms or uncertainty.
As whooping cough cases continue to rise, this survey serves as a crucial wake-up call. Understanding the disease, recognizing its symptoms, and staying current with vaccinations are not just medical recommendations — they’re essential steps in protecting ourselves and our communities from this resurgent threat.
Methodology
The survey data comes from the 22nd wave of a nationally representative panel of 1,771 U.S. adults conducted for the Annenberg Public Policy Center by SSRS, an independent market research company. Most have been empaneled since April 2021. To account for attrition, small replenishment samples have been added over time using a random probability sampling design. The most recent replenishment, in September 2024, added 360 respondents to the sample. This wave of the Annenberg Science and Public Health Knowledge (ASAPH) survey was fielded Nov. 14-24, 2024.
