There is an epidemic happening out in California right now, and 5 kids have died… from a disease that you probably thought was gone for good.

Pertussis, more commonly known as “whooping cough“, looks like a persistent cough in big kids or adults, but in babies and toddlers it can be deadly. It is highly contagious and might present like a cold or the flu.

Now, this isn’t a cause for panic… whooping cough is not like the Ebola virus, and there are 5,000-7,000 cases in the U.S. every year. But it’s smart to be aware of any trend in family health, because it affects everyone in a community.

What can Savvy parents do? First, get the basic facts on the disease so you can be aware of symptoms and signs. Then, read about the California outbreak.

And finally, talk to your pediatrician, who will let you know whether your kiddos are at risk. Most kids get regular vaccinations against whooping cough and are likely to be just fine.

And… consider making a donation to Frisco Cares, our local clinic that provides free and low-cost health services to children without health insurance… including these kinds of critical vaccinations that can make all our kids safer.