Whooping cough: What are the symptoms and who can get a vaccine?
Whooping cough is sometimes called the "100-day cough" because of how long it can take to recover from. It is very contagious and can be extremely serious for young babies.
Thursday 6 June 2024 11:51, UK
Whooping cough cases have risen sharply in the UK, with doctors warning the infection is "extremely serious" for young babies.
Whooping cough is a cyclical infection that normally peaks every three to five years - so the current surge is not unexpected.
Here is what you need to know about the symptoms, vaccine and treatment.
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough is sometimes called the "100-day cough" because of how long it can take to recover from.
The bacterial infection, also known as pertussis, affects the lungs and breathing tubes and causes bouts of coughing.
It is highly contagious and is spread in the droplets of coughs and sneezes.
What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
The first symptoms are similar to that of a cold and may include:
• runny nose
• red and watery eyes
• sore throat
• slightly raised temperature
Intense coughing bouts start about a week later, according to the NHS.
The bouts are typically more common at night and can last a few minutes.
Between coughs, you or your child may gasp for breath, causing a "whoop" sound. However, not everyone has this.
The coughing bouts may cause difficulty breathing, and young infants in particular may turn blue or grey.
"This often looks worse than it is and their breathing should start again quickly," according to NHS Inform.
The coughing may also bring up a thick mucus, which can make you vomit.
The bouts can also cause the face to become very red, particularly in adults.
How serious is whooping cough?
"Whooping cough can affect people of all ages but for very young babies it can be extremely serious," according to Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Babies under 6 months old with whooping cough have a higher risk of problems including dehydration, breathing difficulties, pneumonia and seizures, according to the NHS.
Eight babies died of whooping cough between January and the end of April 2024.
People who are infected with whooping cough can pass on the bacteria to others for two to three weeks.
"As a disease, whooping cough is as infectious as measles, and more infectious than COVID-19," said Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton.
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How common is whooping cough and who is most at risk?
Health officials describe whooping cough as a "cyclical disease", meaning it peaks every three to five years, with the last big increase in 2016.
There were 4,793 cases reported to the end of April, according to provisional data from the UKHSA.
There were 1,888 cases reported in April alone, according to the provisional data. March saw 1,430 cases, February 920 and January 555.
By comparison, there were 858 whooping cough cases in all of 2023.
Whooping cough affects people of all ages and adults are unlikely to become very sick, but it can be deadly for babies and young children.
Why are cases rising now?
A fall in vaccinations is a driver but not the sole reason why we are seeing surge in cases, Sky News' health correspondent Ashish Joshi explains.
The COVID pandemic is a significant factor. Cases fell to very low numbers due to less social mixing - so the peak we're seeing now is actually overdue.
The reduced access to vaccination programmes during the pandemic also means there is reduced immunity in the population. That made a growing problem worse.
How can you protect yourself or your child from whooping cough?
The NHS recommends all pregnant women are vaccinated against whooping cough between 16 and 32 weeks.
This means the immunity is passed through the placenta to protect newborn babies in their first weeks of life.
The whooping cough vaccine is routinely given to babies as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine at eight, 12 and 16 weeks.
It is also part of the 4-in-1 pre-school booster given to children at 3 years and 4 months.
Dr Head said a drop in the number of people being vaccinated is a "key factor" in the increase in cases.
"It's vital that vulnerable groups such as babies and pregnant women are up to date with their recommended immunisations," he said.
"The vaccine is safe, and extremely effective."
The whooping cough vaccine does not offer lifelong protection, but adults are less likely to become seriously ill.
Pregnant women should be vaccinated even if they had a whooping cough vaccine as a child, because it's likely the protection from the vaccine will have worn off.
It's also important women get vaccinated with each pregnancy, because their immunity may have waned between pregnancies.
How is whooping cough treated?
If whooping cough is diagnosed within three weeks, antibiotics will be given to help stop it spreading to others.
If you've had whooping cough for longer than that, you are no longer contagious and do not need antibiotics, according to the NHS.
It is important to stay off school, work or nursery until 48 hours after starting antibiotics, or three weeks after symptoms started if you've not had antibiotics.
The NHS advises getting plenty of rest and fluids to treat the symptoms of whooping cough.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen may help - although they're not to be given at the same time to under-16s - but cough medicine does not help with this type of cough.
What should you do if you or your child have symptoms?
NHS advises you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if:
• you have a baby under six months with whooping cough symptoms
• you're pregnant and have been in contact with someone with whooping cough
• you (or your child) has a weakened immune system and have been in contact with someone with whooping cough
• you or your child has a very bad cough that is getting worse
You should call 999 or go to A&E if:
• your or your child's lips, tongue, face or skin suddenly turn blue or grey (on black or brown skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet)
• you or your child are finding it hard to breathe properly
• you or your child have chest pain that's worse when breathing or coughing - this could be a sign of pneumonia
• your child is having seizures (fits)