Symptoms and illness
Whooping cough (pertussis) symptoms start with a runny nose and dry cough. Coughing gets worse over the next few weeks developing into attacks of coughing. The ‘whoop’ sound occurs as babies draw a breath after a long coughing attack. Children often gasp for air and some make a ‘whooping’ sound. They may also vomit after coughing attacks. Babies might go blue or stop breathing during coughing attacks. Most children are well between the coughing spells. In older children and adults whooping cough may present as an unexplained persistent cough that goes on for more than two weeks. The cough may last for up to three months.
Severe risks associated with whooping cough
Whooping cough (pertussis) is most serious in those under one year old and babies under one year are most at risk of serious complications from the infection. Around seven out of ten babies who catch whooping cough when they are under six months old are hospitalised. Whooping cough can lead to pneumonia and can also lead to encephalopathy (brain damage), convulsions and death. The risk of encephalopathy ranges from about one in 100 to one in 1000.
Severe complications are much less common in older children and adults but infected teenagers and adults can pass the infection on to younger children and babies.
You should see your family doctor if you think you have symptoms of whooping cough (pertussis) . Your doctor can arrange tests and may prescribe antibiotics. Sometimes, as a preventative measure, treatment is also offered to the whole family if there are young children in the family at risk of severe disease and complications. Antibiotic treatment is useful in preventing the spread of infection and, if given early, may shorten the period you are unwell.
Prevention and stopping the spread of infection
Immunisation is the best prevention – it is especially important to ensure babies are immunised on time. Do not delay your baby's first immunisations which are given at 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months. Ensure older children are also up to date with their immunisations. Immunisation for children is free.
If your doctor has diagnosed you with whooping cough stay away from work, school or pre-school until you have had 5 days of antibiotic treatment – or if not taking antibiotics for whooping cough until 3 weeks after the cough started. Where possible, avoid contact with babies, young children and women in the late stages of pregnancy (because of the possible risk to their newborn).
The disease is spread by coughing. Don’t cough on babies. Cover your cough.
Additional measures to help protect newborn babies
It is advisable for women who are planning a pregnancy to ensure they are up to date with their immunisations before becoming pregnant. Other measures that may help protect newborn babies include whooping cough immunisation boosters, if needed, for:
Pregnant women in the late stages of pregnancy to help protect their newborn (From 1 January 2013 and until the whooping cough outbreak finishes, all pregnant women can get a free whooping cough vaccine between 28 and 38 weeks of pregnancy from their GP).
Family and household members who are likely to be in contact with the newborn (Note that there may be a cost associated with these vaccinations for adults).
Expectant mothers should discuss the above measures with their GP.
For more information
Contact 0800 IMMUNE (466 863) or visit www.immune.org.nz
Ministry of Health: Whooping cough (pertussis) information
Ministry of Health: Whooping cough fact sheet for parents and caregivers