A large review of data from over 18.6 million people looked at the link between chronic lung conditions and pertussis, also known as whooping cough. The study specifically focused on patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to see if they were more likely to catch the infection.
The findings showed that both groups had a higher risk of pertussis. For those with asthma, the risk was notably higher than for others. People with COPD also showed an increased risk of infection. These results were consistent across several different types of studies included in the analysis.
Because these results are based on observational data, they show a link rather than a direct cause. The study suggests that doctors and health officials should focus more on identifying at-risk patients and managing vaccinations to prevent infections. Talk with your healthcare provider about how these findings might affect your specific care plan.
