Two-month old dies from PertussisAugust 20, 2012 | Audrey FanninA 2-month-old from Forsyth County is the state's first victim this year of pertussis, also known as whooping cough. Officials with the state Department of Health and Human Services say the infant died earlier this month.
Children are supposed to receive their first of 5 vaccinations against the disease at 2 months of age, and they also need a booster shot by age 11. Whooping cough is highly contagious and usually is spread by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others. While it's life-threatening in newborns and infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated, it can be serious at any age.
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