According to a report by NBC Los Angeles, eight infant who recently died from whooping cough in California had gone to see a doctor, but were all misdiagnosed. With many children returning to school all over Ohio this week, many parents are asking themselves what are the best ways to protect their families are.

Whooping cough can be sometimes hard to diagnose because the symptoms in young children resemble a cold. But several babies who went to the doctor with these symptoms were treated for congestion or a mild upper respiratory infection, instead of whooping cough. Because babies have vulnerable immune systems, this type of illness can develop into severe symptoms fast.

Whooping cough, or Pertussis, is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It commonly lasts for 6 weeks before subsiding. The disease derives its name from the "whoop" sound made from the inspiration of air after a cough.

Due to these recent deaths, hospitals and clinics around the country are starting to be vigilant about testing for pertussis. But parents can also do their part as well. Parents should suspect whooping cough in any child, 3 to 4 months, with a runny nose and upper respiratory infection. The severe cough usually does not appear for 10 to 12 days and other symptoms include fever and diarrhea.

Whooping cough can affect people of any age. Now that most children are immunized before entering school, the higher percentages of whooping cough cases are seen in adolescents and adults.

Source: NBC LA "Whooping Cough: Misdiagnosis on Infants Who Died" 09/07/2010