AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Pertussis cases are on the rise in the United States, and with the weather changing those numbers have potential to rise even higher.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, as of August 18th, 2012, more than twenty three thousand cases have been reported in the US, 13 of which were fatal.

Pertussis, otherwise known as whooping cough, can be especially harmful to children and the elderly. If not caught early on, the disease can be highly contagious up to three weeks.

"It's just common sense," King's Compounding Pharmacy owner Robin Johnson said. "If you're feeling bad, stay home. If you're feeling bad your immune system is not what it should be, and so you can't fight off the things, and you're also contaminating other people."

Symptoms early on mirror that of the common cold including sniffling, aches, mild fever, and coughing. Over time though, the coughing evolves into explosive coughing fits.

"As your other symptoms resolve, the severe persistent back to back to back cough can occur," Johnson said. "It will last one to two, maybe several weeks. That's when you need to make sure you contact your doctor."

Those that suspect their newborns may have the condition should act immediately. According to the CDC, approximately one in four infants get pneumonia. Vaccines are also readily available at most pharmacies.