Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Introduction
Whooping Cough (also known as pertussis) a highly infectious disease of the lungs and airways. It is spread in the droplets of coughs and sneezes from someone who is infected.
Whooping cough can cause a violent cough that lasts several months, and can lead to severe illness in babies and young children that are not protected from the disease through vaccination.
Recommendations for Travellers
Occasionally travellers going to visit family where an infant is due to be born, or has recently been born, are requested to have a booster dose of the whooping cough vaccine prior to travel to protect the new born baby. However, if the pregnant woman has been vaccinated against whooping cough during pregnancy, then the baby will have some protection against whooping cough in the first few weeks of life, until old enough to be vaccinated.
If you are visiting family abroad where an infant is due to be born or has recently been born, you can help to protect them from becoming ill by making sure you (and those travelling with you):
- are up to date with the UK vaccination schedule
- review the country-specific information for your destination to find out how to stay healthy and protect your health whilst travelling abroad
- If you think you need vaccines, malaria advice and/or tablets, you should have a travel health risk assessment.
- protect yourself from becoming sick whilst travelling by avoiding close contact with anyone infected with a respiratory or coughing illness
- wash your hands frequently and take care with your respiratory hygiene at all times
Vaccination
In the UK, whooping cough vaccines are only given as part of the routine UK vaccination schedule to:
- babies at 8,12 and 16 weeks of age as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine
- see patient information on Infanrix®-Hexa or Vaxelis® vaccines
- pre-school children (usually around 3 years 4 months)
- see patient information on REPEVAX or Boostrix®-IPV vaccines
- pregnant women (after 16th week of pregnancy) to help protect the baby in the first few weeks of life with protective antibodies passed on from mum
- see patient information on ADACEL® vaccine
Currently, whooping cough vaccines are not recommended for anyone over the age of 10 years, except for pregnant women (as above), some healthcare workers directly involved with the care of new born babies and infants, or during control of an outbreak situation.
For further information on the whooping cough vaccine, see:
- NHS inform (Scotland)
- NHS UK (rest of UK)
Overview of Disease
Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can be very serious. It is spread from person to person through droplets from coughs and sneezes from someone who is infected.
- You can become infected if you breathe in infected droplets, or you can pick it up from touching surfaces that droplets have landed on and transfer into your nose and mouth from your hands.
Whooping cough can affect anyone but it causes the most serious illness in babies and young children. Many infants around the world continue to die from whooping cough, even in countries with effective vaccination programmes in place.
The Illness
The first symptoms are similar to those of a common cold, typically a runny nose and a sore throat.
After around a week, a cough develops.
- Bouts of coughing can last several minutes and are often worse during the night.
- Some people develop a characteristic 'whoop' sound as they gasp for breath between coughs
- Young babies may turn blue or grey if they have difficulty in breathing after a coughing bout
- Some people are sick (vomit) as they try to bring up thick mucus which may lead to weight loss, weakness and failure to thrive.
Overall, the illness can last two to three months, sometimes longer.
Those who are infected with whooping cough are contagious from around 6 days after the cold symptoms started, until around 3 weeks after the coughing begins.
- It is important to stay off school, work or nursery during this period to prevent spreading it to others.
Treatment
Treatment for whooping cough depends on age and how long you (or your child) have had the infection. Antibiotics may be given in some cases to help prevent spreading of the disease to others.
Most people recover at home. Symptoms can be eased by getting plenty of rest, drinking plenty of fluids and taking over-the-counter medicines if you are feeling uncomfortable.
- Talk to a pharmacist or general practice if you are unsure what medicines might help.
Babies and young children are at highest risk of developing serious complications and may need hospital treatment if they are having breathing difficulties.
Resources
Further information on Whooping cough can be found at:
- NHS inform (Scotland)
- NHS UK (rest of UK)