The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports whooping cough cases are on the rise, the highest in the past decade.

The highly contagious bacterial illness which starts out feeling like a cold but progresses to coughing fits and even difficulty breathing. While the exact reason for the rise is being investigated, doctors at Vanderbilt Medical Center say the loss of immunity could be a culprit as some parents choose to avoid vaccines. Doctors say the vaccine is the best way to try to avoid infection.