What you need to know about whooping cough
Winter coughs have now begun, and while some can be treated quite quickly, whooping cough is a serious disease that can have serious effects for vulnerable people. Because of that, it's essential to keep top of mind. Fortunately, there is a vaccine available to help your immune system fight the infection and significantly reduce symptoms, should you become sick.
Here are some important points to know about whooping cough:
• It’s a bacterial infection – transmitted by bordetella pertussis bacteria. It’s highly contagious and spreads quickly through schools and families#
• The symptoms change over time – beginning with cold-like symptoms such as a runny or blocked nose, tiredness, and mild fever, then evolving into intense, uncontrollable bouts of coughing@
• These bouts can last a minute or more, worsen at night – and may be accompanied by a characteristic "whoop" sound between each bout, when the sufferer inhales sharply
RealTalk with Luke Watson
Pharmacist at TerryWhite Chemmart Mentone
With babies, it's important to be particularly aware:
• Their soft airways can be hurt by severe coughing@
• Non-coughing symptoms – such as paused breathing, turning blue, choking, and gagging – can all occur in young infants
• Babies are more at risk of developing complications from whooping cough,^ such as pneumonia
• Call the ambulance if your child has difficulties breathing or their lips or skin become blue in colour
Whooping cough vaccination is an important line of defence:
Vaccination is recommended for anyone wanting to reduce their risk of illness, but especially these groups:
• The over 65s, who haven’t received a booster in the last ten years (as infection is associated with increased morbidity in this age group)*
• Expectant parents, their friends, and family (to protect a new baby)
• Healthcare workers (to protect patients and themselves)
• Early childhood educators and workers (as whooping cough can be more severe in the very young)
How TerryWhite Chemmart can help
Source*:
# https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/pertussis.aspx
@ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/whooping-cough
^ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/whooping-cough
* https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccine-preventable-diseases/pertussis-whooping-cough#:~:text=Pertussis%2Dcontaining%20vaccines%20are%20recommended,50%20years%20and%2065%20years
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At its core, it’s simply a schedule of vaccinations given at certain times throughout your life. This ensures you receive the best protection against a range of diseases when you need it most.
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