Whooping cough (pertussis) infections continue to rise in the U.S., with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating more than 17,600 cases as of Oct. 5.

That’s more than a 340% increase over the 3,962 cases reported last October.

Pre-pandemic, cases would typically exceed 10,000 per year, spiking to 18,600 in 2019.

Post-pandemic, whooping cough diagnoses plummeted, with just 2,100 cases reported in 2021.

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The 10 states with the highest number of cumulative (year to date) cases include Pennsylvania (2,209), New York (1,228), Illinois (1,153), California (1,123), Wisconsin (903), Washington (844), Ohio (814), Texas (676), Oregon (546), Arizona (491).

What’s causing the uptick?

One theory for the spike is that cases fell sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, as mask-wearing, social distancing and other infection protocols helped to protect against whooping cough.

“They are increasing more now as our immune systems are exposed to viruses and bacteria we haven’t seen and are slower to respond,” Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, previously told Fox News Digital.

WITH WHOOPING COUGH CASES ON THE RISE, DO YOU NEED A BOOSTER VACCINE?

Whooping cough outbreaks typically occur when there are populations with low vaccination rates, Katy Dubinsky, a New York pharmacist and the CEO and co-founder of Vitalize, a private supplement company, previously told Fox News Digital.

The DTaP vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis infections in children. (iStock)

“Pertussis is highly contagious, and in areas where herd immunity is not strong due to insufficient vaccination, the disease can spread more easily,” she told Fox News Digital.

“Additionally, the immunity from the vaccine or previous infection wanes over time, which can also contribute to outbreaks.”

What is whooping cough?

A highly contagious respiratory tract infection, pertussis gets its more common name, “whooping cough,” from the severe hacking cough that some people develop.

In addition to the cough, initial symptoms mimic those of a cold — including nasal congestion, runny nose, fever, and red, watery eyes, according to Mayo Clinic.

While the vaccine offers protection against severe illness for children, infants who are too young for vaccination are at the highest risk. (iStock | National Institutes of Health)

Symptoms get worse over time, often leading to severe and uncontrollable coughing fits, which end with a “whooping” sound after the patient breathes in due to a buildup of mucus in the airways, the same source noted.

“This is an underappreciated problem, and a good reason why I am giving out Tdap vaccines to my adult patients regularly,” Siegel told Fox News Digital on Friday.

“This disease is especially problematic in young children, because they have less developed airways.”

Tdap is a combination of three vaccines that protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis infections in teens and adults.

The DTaP vaccine is the same trio of vaccines administered to children.

“Pertussis is highly contagious, and in areas where herd immunity is not strong due to insufficient vaccination, the disease can spread more easily,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)

“The vaccine works — and it lasts three to five years,” Siegel said. “Everyone should have an up-to-date vaccine.”

While the vaccine offers protection against severe illness for children, infants who are too young for vaccination are at the highest risk.

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“This disease is especially problematic in young children, because they have less developed airways,” Siegel cautioned.

It is recommended that pregnant women get the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy, as it helps protect the newborn until they can receive their own vaccinations.

When to seek medical attention

Due to the potential severity in young infants and those with weakened immune systems, it’s important to seek medical attention if pertussis is suspected, experts advise.

In addition to the cough, initial symptoms mimic those of a cold — including nasal congestion, runny nose, fever, and red, watery eyes. (iStock)

“Unfortunately, the diagnosis is often missed because the dry cough may be mistaken for a virus,” Siegel said.

Adults can be treated with doxycycline, a type of antibiotic that prevents the growth and spread of bacteria.

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Azithromycin is the common treatment for children, according to Siegel.

“The condition becomes dangerous when it leads to severe coughing spells that cause difficulty breathing, vomiting or interrupting normal breathing patterns in infants,” said Dubinsky.

“The diagnosis is often missed because the dry cough may be mistaken for a virus.”

In addition to giving antibiotics, it’s important to manage symptoms, especially in severe cases, she said.

“This might include hospitalization for infants or those with severe symptoms to monitor and treat complications.”

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Approximately 160,000 children under the age of 5 die globally of pertussis each year, and there are 24 million cases annually, per CDC data.

Many favorable Halloween activities, such as strolling through a haunted house or watching a horror movie, are filled with elements designed to elicit fear, yet they are still enjoyable pastimes for many.

When it comes to horror movies specifically, several polls have pointed to a fairly even overall split between those who enjoy them and those who would rather do without.

For example, a 2022 survey conducted by Statista found that 64% of adults ages 30 to 44 either liked or loved watching horror movies.

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So why do some people enjoy participating in scary activities while others do not find the same amusement? 

When watching a horror movie, viewers know that what they see while watching can’t actually hurt them — yet the viewing experience can still be a terrifying one. 

“When we think about triggers, we all come to our lives with a different story of experiences, and that’s a piece of it, but when we kind of pull the lens out a little bit more and take a look at all of our fears, they kind of fall into one of two buckets when we’re talking about an internal fear,” Dr. Mary Poffenroth, a scientist and fear expert based in Los Angeles and author of “Brave New You,” told Fox News Digital in a phone interview. 

“Either fear of not enough or fear of losing control,” she added. 

An example of the fear of losing control could be a person experiencing a jump scare, according to Poffenroth, which can be viewed as something that can’t be controlled. 

Self-confidence could be another factor that comes into play. 

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“If you’re somebody that maybe is struggling with self-confidence … and [you’re] putting yourself into scary situations or scary movies or haunted houses like that, you may feel like that fear [of] not enough, of not being courageous enough or brave enough or tough enough,” Poffenroth said. 

Such feelings that develop inside when a scary element is present start in the brain — which can signal to the body that it’s in danger, even though it may not actually be, according to experts. 

Even though a horror movie can’t actually hurt you, it could cause a reaction like a jump scare — which can trigger a feeling of not being in control. (iStock)

“In our brain, we have two almond-shaped structures, one on the left, one on the right, that we’re going to refer to as the amygdala,” said Poffenroth. 

“Even though the entire process is a little bit more complicated, in easier terms, it’s the amygdala that is going to be the driver of our fear response, and the amygdala works in an on-off switch, even though there’s a spectrum of intensity.”

“When we overcome any obstacle, we not only feel better about ourselves, but we get those dopamine hits.”

The amygdala can either signal a person is in danger or alert the body that everything is safe. 

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“That amygdala can get turned on so easily in our modern world, and it’s super overprotective,” Poffenroth added. “It’s trying to get us to stay in the blanket cave as much as possible and not go out in the world, because the world is big and scary — but that’s not truly living the life that we say that we want.” 

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Some find an enjoyable adrenaline rush when it comes to activities that scare them. They can feel a strong sense of pride after overcoming an obstacle that stood in their way. 

“When we start to do scary stuff, and we overcome that kind of level or barrier, and then we level up, if you will — then we become more confident that we can handle bigger and bolder types of opportunities,” Poffenroth said.

Those who enjoy scary activities often find excitement in overcoming something outside their comfort zone. (Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images)

For those who find enjoyment in accomplishing scary feats, it could also simply be their personality that makes them this way, causing them to always want to step out of their comfort zone and push their limits.

“Sometimes that’s just a personality trait,” Poffenroth said. “For me, I really enjoy pushing the boundaries of what I think I can do, what society says I’m allowed to do, and that’s just something I enjoy.”

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“When we overcome any obstacle, we not only feel better about ourselves, but we get those dopamine hits, and that reward center gets fired up,” Poffenroth continued. 

“If we found it a positive experience, then we’ll want to do it more.”

Just as no two cancers are the same, treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all — and for one Arizona mother and teacher, personalized chemotherapy became the path to survival.

Tammy Morrow, 55, had been healthy for decades when, after seeing a doctor for what she thought was a stomach bug in December 2023, she was blindsided by a diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

The cancer had spread to her bones, lymph nodes, liver and other areas, she told Fox News Digital. It became evident fairly quickly that her disease was beyond the scope of traditional treatments.

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“I received one round of traditional chemo in the hospital,” said Morrow, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. “After just the one treatment, all of my hair fell out within just eight days.”

“The rapid hair loss demonstrates the systemic nature and toxicity of traditional chemo,” she added.

Morrow’s oncologist told her that she likely only had months to live, but she was determined to find another alternative.

Through her research, she found Envita Medical Center in Scottsdale, which offers a novel cancer treatment called Genetically Targeted Fractionated Chemotherapy (GTFC).

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“When I arrived at Envita, I was not taking in food orally, and for almost three months, I had to receive all of my nutrition from a catheter delivered directly into my veins,” Morrow said.

She began receiving GTFC treatments, which she credits as “essential to survival.”

“In just 21 weeks, my diagnosis changed from terminal to normal.”

“I am persuaded that I would not be alive today if I had not received care at Envita,” Morrow told Fox News Digital. 

“Now, I am thriving.”

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Morrow’s last several blood tests have shown no evidence of disease, and her most recent PET scan in May confirmed that she is cancer-free.

“In just 21 weeks, my diagnosis changed from terminal to normal,” she said.

Making it personal

Genetically targeted fractionated chemotherapy (GTFC) is a targeted approach to cancer treatment that personalizes chemotherapy based on a patient’s genetic makeup and specific tumor biology, according to Dr. John Oertle, chief medical director at Envita Medical Centers. 

Tammy Morrow is pictured with her husband, Derek Morrow, before her diagnosis. (Tammy Morrow)

“This method also enhances the tumor’s ability to absorb the chemotherapy, allowing us to use reduced dosages while maintaining effectiveness,” Oertle, who specializes in “individualized, outcome-based care models for chronic disease and integrative oncology,” told Fox News Digital.

GTFC is designed to deliver medicine with more precision while having fewer side effects, he noted.

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“Conventional chemotherapy targets all rapidly dividing cells, both cancerous and healthy, using high doses, which often leads to widespread side effects,” Oertle said. 

“Additionally, we have found that 90% of patients on conventional chemotherapy are dealing with cancer that has already become resistant to it.”

Morrow had been healthy for decades when, after seeing a doctor for what she thought was a stomach bug in December 2023, she was blindsided by a diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. (Tammy Morrow)

GTFC is designed to specifically target cancer cells with genetic mutations, he said, so that more chemo gets into the tumor.

“While only 5% to 7% of conventional chemotherapy administered through an IV typically reaches the tumor, GTFC significantly improves this uptake,” Oertle said.

“As a result, we can reduce the overall dosage and administer treatment more frequently.”

“Not only are these specific treatments resulting in better outcomes, they are less harmful as well.”

Fox News medical contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier, who is not associated with Envita, referred to GTFC as “the future of cancer treatment.”

“Historically, we depended on traditional chemotherapy to kill cancer cells,” she told Fox News Digital. 

“Unfortunately, traditional chemotherapy isn’t very specific, so while it killed cancer cells, it also killed healthy cells.” 

In the midst of cancer treatments, as she began losing her hair, Morrow had a friend give her a haircut. (Tammy Morrow)

Because of this limitation, traditional chemo can have “severe” short-term and long-term side effects, Saphier confirmed.

“GTFC is a targeted therapy, which is a type of cancer treatment that’s designed to attack cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone,” she went on. 

“Not only are these specific treatments resulting in better outcomes, they are less harmful as well.”

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While there are some possible side effects with GTFC, they are “significantly fewer” than with traditional chemo, Oertle said.

“Many patients are even able to maintain their hair,” he added.

Morrow, seen here with a few of her fitness friends at the gym, was an avid health and wellness enthusiast before getting diagnosed. (Tammy Morrow)

In Morrow’s case, she said her side effects were “minimal,” even after receiving GTFC chemo treatments once or twice every week for 21 weeks.

Her main side effects were weakness and digestive issues for a day or two after the treatment.

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“I was even able to work full-time during my treatment,” she said. “On a couple of occasions, I virtually attended work meetings while receiving the chemo treatments.”

Who can get GTFC?

In addition to breast cancer, GTFC can be an option for any type of cancer that needs systemic therapy, according to Oertle.

“For early-stage cancers, we utilize advanced blood tests to ensure that the disease has not spread,” he said. 

“I pray that one day, I will have the money to help others receive care at Envita,” Morrow said. (Tammy Morrow)

“If the cancer remains localized, we offer other precision-based, less invasive treatments that may eliminate the need for GTFC. However, for cancers that have spread beyond the initial tumor, GTFC may be an effective treatment option.”

“Most people simply cannot afford to pay for this type of medical care.”

There are some barriers to receiving this type of chemo, however.

“It is very difficult to receive this care because no insurance company in America will cover the advanced and targeted integrated care Envita offers,” Morrow told Fox News Digital. 

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“Even though the chemotherapy drugs I received at Envita are a part of the normal medical protocol, because the method of delivering these chemotherapy drugs is not normal, my insurance company refused to cover any of it.”

While there are some possible side effects with GTFC, they are “significantly fewer” than with traditional chemo, an expert said. (iStock)

Morrow paid nearly $250,000 out of pocket for her chemo treatments. 

“Most people simply cannot afford to pay for this type of medical care — and I could not have afforded it, either,” she said.

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To cover the cost, Morrow’s two sons started a GoFundMe and raised almost $120,000, and Morrow and her husband took out a second mortgage to cover the rest.

“I would encourage people to not let the cost prevent them from seeking out this innovative and life-saving approach to cancer care,” Morrow urged. 

In addition to breast cancer, GTFC can be an option for any type of cancer that needs systemic therapy. (iStock)

“I pray that one day, I will have the money to help others receive care at Envita. In the meantime, my husband and I have two guest bedrooms waiting to be filled by out-of-town patients.”

Envita includes the below disclaimer on its website.

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“Disclaimer: Individual results will vary. Envita makes no guarantees for outcomes. Each patient’s case is unique. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your medical treatment. Not every patient is a candidate for care or achieves these results. Treatments used in this case may not all be FDA-approved for the treatment of this condition.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the FDA requesting comment.