MADISON, Wis. -- Public Health Madison and Dane County said it continues to see whooping cough cases, with four being reported in the past week, and it's urging people to get vaccinated.

Officials said that a total of 14 cases have been reported in Dane County from the beginning of the year through Thursday.

“Whooping cough is still widespread in the United States, affects all ages and can cause serious illness even death in infants and young children. Avoid the back to school rush; get vaccinated now," said Dr. Thomas L. Schlenker, director of PHMDC, in a news release.

PHMDC said the early symptoms of whopping cough are like the common cold, with runny nose or congestion, sneezing and maybe a mile cough or fever. After 1-2 weeks, rapid violent coughing begins, which empties the lungs forcing the child to inhale with a loud “whooping” sound.

Public Health officials said they're urging all adults and children be immunized. They said this is particularly important for the protection of babies not yet fully vaccinated, who are isolated from exposure if they are in contact with people who have been immunized, an especially relevant point for parents of babies and pregnant couples

Public Health said it continues to recommend that parents and health care professionals make a continued effort to make sure that children are immunized. The needed vaccine (DTaP) should be given in a scheduled series at: 2 months of age; at 4 months; at 6 months; at 15 to 18 months; and the fifth, at 4-6 years of age.

DTaP vaccinations are also important for teens especially since, as of September 2010, it is required for students in grades 6-12, officials said.

In Dane County, only 79 percent of all children turning 2 years old in 2009 had had all four of their DTaP shots. Health officials said increasing this percentage will help stop the spread of this infection.