Cases of Whooping Cough on the Rise

Whooping cough, or pertussis, has made a comeback in the United States. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, annual cases of whooping cough totaled less than 2,000 nationwide. By 2012, the number had exploded to around 48,000 cases. Although you may think of it as a condition that only affects children, it can also affect older adults.