Recent spikes in whooping cough have health officials concerned.

Doctors nationwide, as well as in the Bay area, are urging parents to get their children vaccinated to keep the numbers of cases of whooping cough, and other diseases, down.

Since January, the Florida Department of Health has reported five cases of Pertussis in Pinellas County. There were 13 cases in Pasco and 15 in Hillsborough during the same time period.

"It could be that parents aren't getting their vaccines," said Maggie Hall with the Pinellas County Health Department. "Or babies aren't getting vaccinated."

Statewide, there has been 237 cases so far this year. That total is almost double the 131 cases reported at this time last year.

County health officials said they believe the reason for the rise may be the negative perception of vaccinations some people have.

"Vaccines are one of the great advances in science," Hall said. "Unfortunately, people without a scientific background are out there giving parents some bad advice."

The increase is being felt in the Clearwater office of Myrtle Avenue Pediatrics.

"When you look at the data from the CDC it's about 24 to 31 or 32 percent each year the past five years in a row," said Dr. Greg Savel. "And we're seeing the same numbers here."

Savel said he recommends all parents seek advice from their pediatricians about vaccines. He said he also encourages his patients to get shots - both kids and adults.

"The problem with whooping cough is, children can go the first few months of life from being a little bit sick to incredibly sick and perhaps dying within only a couple of days," Savel said. "And there's very little current medical science can do to save their life."

Health officials say whooping cough, which is avoidable, usually starts with cold-like symptoms and sometimes a mild fever. Severe coughing can begin later and continue for weeks.