iStock/ThinkstockBy DR. JENNIFER ASHTON, ABC News Senior Medical Contributor
Whooping cough is a very dangerous disease, especially for babies.
The disease, caused by bacteria, is intense and leads to horrible coughing fits that can last for up to 10 weeks. If a newborn catches it, it could be fatal.
The scariest fact is that whooping cough is spread through person to person contact, and babies usually catch it from someone in their own home.
Make sure you get your babies vaccinated on time, and this includes pregnant women getting vaccinated, too.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends pregnant women get vaccinated in the third trimester of each pregnancy.
Also, if you’re over 19 years of age and have any contact with newborns, you should get the T-DAP vaccine.
Talk to your healthcare provider today. A newborn’s life may literally be at stake.
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