By Professor Claire Anderson, RPS President
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that affects the lungs and breathing tubes. Spread easily by coughing and sneezing, the infection can sometimes have serious risks, particularly for vulnerable people such as children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Understanding the symptoms, impact and importance of vaccination against the infection is crucial for your health.
How common is whooping cough in the UK?
Recent data published by the UKHSA in March 2024 shows there has been a recent increase in whooping cough cases, with 553 confirmed in England in January, compared with 858 cases for the whole of last year (2023). The increase follows a period of low cases during the COVID-19 pandemic due to reduced social mixing and emphasises the importance of continued vaccination efforts.
The importance of vaccination
Babies under three months old are at high risk of severe complications from whooping cough, such as dehydration, breathing difficulties and pneumonia. It’s vital for pregnant women to get vaccinated – usually via their GP or midwife - against whooping cough so that their baby is protected from birth.
Parents should also check their child has received the recommended doses as part of routine vaccinations. The vaccination is offered to all infants at eight, 12 and 16 weeks of age (as part of the six-in-one combination vaccine) with an additional dose included in the preschool booster vaccine.
Common symptoms
The infection symptoms mimic those of a cold, including a runny nose and sore throat, but they also include long coughing fits, gasping for breath (causing a “whoop” sound), and sometimes young children may turn blue or grey due to difficulty breathing.
Other symptoms can include thick mucus which can cause vomiting, and some adults become very red in the face. Vaccination is key to preventing these severe symptoms and protecting vulnerable individuals.
Treatment and prevention
Treatment for whooping cough varies based on age and stage of infection. Severe cases, especially in infants under six months old, may require hospital treatment.
If you have whooping cough, you're contagious from about six days after cold-like symptoms begin until three weeks after the coughing starts.
Antibiotics can help stop spread of the infection if diagnosed within three weeks of infection, but vaccination is highly effective and will protect against whooping cough.
The pharmacist’s role
Pharmacists play a vital role in raising awareness and providing health advice to high-risk groups, including pregnant women, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. Getting vaccinated against whooping cough is crucial to provide protection from a potentially serious infection and prevent its spread.
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