Hallberg's Picture of Health: Symptom-free carriers

Whooping cough
Pharmacist Kristy Hennessee administers a vaccination against whooping cough, in Pasadena, California on September 17, 2010.
ROBYN BECK | AFP | Getty Images 2010

What can explain the enormous rise in Whooping Cough cases in the U.S. in recent years? Weakening vaccines? More people not getting vaccinated?

How about symptom-free carriers of the disease?

Dr. Jon Hallberg reviews the results of a new study suggesting the increase in Pertussis cases is largely due to a growth in asymptomatic carriers unknowingly spreading the bacterium.

Hallberg says the findings reflect the need for more effective vaccines.

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