Pertussis infection is a disease that causes coughing fits that last for 2 to 3 months or more. It makes young children and babies sicker than adults. Close follow-up is especially important in babies under 18 months of age, as coughing fits can cause respiratory arrest. Babies with severe illness should be under the supervision of a doctor in hospital. Babies aged 6 months and young children are usually severely affected. Infants can be diagnosed with a progression of the disease if the following conditions are observed
- Dehydration (excessive loss of fluid resulting in dysfunction of the body)
- Breathing difficulties
- Weight loss
- Pneumonia (infection in the lungs due to whooping cough)
- Epileptic seizures
- Kidney problems
- Brain damage caused by insufficient oxygen supply to the brain
Older children and adults tend to be less affected than babies, although they can face problems from repeated severe coughing, such as nosebleeds, damaged ribs or hernias.
When to see a doctor?
A doctor should be consulted if prolonged bouts of coughing cause the patient to experience the following symptoms
- Vomiting
- Face and lips turning red or blue
- Difficulty breathing
- Visible pauses in breathing
- Breathing with a hoarse voice
How can whooping cough be prevented?
The best way to prevent this disease is to get vaccinated against it. People who have been in contact with someone who has whooping cough may be offered antibiotics to protect against infection if they are in one of the following risk groups
- Pregnant women
- Health workers
- Babies under 12 months
- Those with a weakened immune system
- People with respiratory diseases such as asthma
- Living in the same household with someone who has whooping cough
- live with someone at high risk of developing severe illness or complications if they are infected with whooping cough
- Pertussis vaccine
