Very Contagious Disease At 270% Increase in Tennessee

It's the time of year when you hear "Yeah, it's going around" when everyone gets sick, but this year is seeing some issues we haven't seen in over a decade.

Most of us haven't paid attention to CDC statistics and case counts for stuff going around since COVID, and most of us didn't pay attention to it before the pandemic either, so for the most part, widespread illnesses are pretty much off of our radar.

Numbers are rolling in from 2024 and Tennessee as well as most other states are seeing an increase and ongoing outbreak of whooping cough, which can get pretty painful.

The Current Statistics

Tennessee has reported over 350 cases in the state in 2024, with 9 alone being reported from this past week. The numbers are on the rise, because just a month ago, only 250 cases were reported for the year.

The rest of the country is also seeing a rise of the rise of pertusis (whooping cough), with states like Illinois seeing over 1,900 confirmed cases this year.

Kids have to have the vaccine to go to school and adults are recommended to get the vaccine too if you don't already have it.

According to the CDC, in December 2024, six times more pertussis cases have been reported as compared to this time last year.

Symptoms

Whooping cough is named pretty obviously, but the symptoms include:

• Runny/stuffy nose
• A lot of coughing
• Low-grade fever

The CDC also says that even if you got the vaccine, you could still contract it, you're just less likely to. If you do get whooping cough, you're recommended to do all of the normal sickness recovery stuff: antibiotics, rest, drink fluids, use a humidifier, and cover your cough.